Lam needs his Bears quickly back in Sinck
‘WE LOOK RUBBISH’ ADMITS PAT
PAT LAM will look to Kyle Sinckler to awaken Bristol from their four-month nightmare at Newcastle today.
The Bear necessity is a win after four heavy defeats in five outings since topping the final table last season.
Most recently Harlequins gave them a 21-point head start and still stuck 50 on them, scoring seven unanswered tries after half-time as Bristol folded.
Nobody felt the pain more than Sinckler, who made his name at Quins in the first eight years of his career.
“It hurt,” said the England star. “However, we have to find grace in defeat. The winning rhythm will swing back our way soon. It will click.”
Sinckler, 28, has made a sizeable impression on Lam, who knows he can count on the prop when it comes to manning the barricades.
“This is where the leaders step up,” said Lam. “You get a better idea of people in adversity and Kyle is one of those who is stepping up and making a huge difference.
“He’s been phenomenal in that sense. I’m really pleased with what he’s doing and saying.”
But Lam knows words count for little if they do not lead to performances and results. He readily admits that “at the moment we look rubbish”. And a notable injury list, meaning nine changes this afternoon, only stiffens the challenge.
Semi Radradra, Siva Naulago and Luke Morahan are huge losses while Chris Vui, Steven Luatua, Piers O’Conor and Henry Purdy are also out.
Lam bats away claims fitness levels are sub-standard, despite the Bears having failed to trouble the scorers in the second half in three matches this term. Danny Care, who has helped Quins put 95 points on Bristol in two games – 83 of those, including 13 tries, coming after half-time – is not so sure.
“Bristol are susceptible to tries when they turn over the ball,” Care said. “They keep the ball for so long they are tired when you turn them over.”
Lam will not panic, knowing Wasps in 2020 and Quins last season reached Twickenham despite firing blanks before new year, but he needs an 80-minute show. Anything less and Adam Radwan, Newcastle’s Premiership player of the month, will be ready to pounce.