Big Brother Bakewell out to make Bristol bullet-proof
MARK Bakewell’s unrivalled attention to detail will give Bristol a Premiership forward pack to be proud of, according to newly arrived flanker Jon Fisher.
Fisher joined from Northampton last month and has been impressed by the work of New Zealander Bakewell, who took over as forwards coach from Steve Borthwick in February and made his mark during their successful promotion campaign.
Fisher told TRP: “When I met ‘Bakes’ it felt like we were on the same page and I’ve loved his approach.
“One thing we have all agreed is that if we are to have success, we are going to need a competent pack and a secure set-piece. It would be naive to come into the Premiership without being able to provide a decent platform.
“I’m 27, but I haven’t been in an environment to date where the detail of training is pored over and reviewed as much on a day-to-day basis as it is here - the cameras are always on us. It’s almost like Big Brother but that’s having a positive impact because you can’t be off the money on any day and Bakes is driving that.
“That’s no slight on other clubs I’ve been at, but seeing how Bakes and the other coaches operate has been impressive. Our pack has to be bullet-proof under pressure and no stones can be left unturned if we want to be competitive.”
Bristol have been written off by the bookies but their back row personnel look strong and Fisher faces a fight for his place alongside Jack Lam, Jordan Crane, Mitch Eadie, Olly Robinson, Nick Fenton-Wells, Rayn Smid, James Phillips and Nick Koster.
Fisher said: “We’ve got good depth in our back row and the vast majority are in great shape. Mitch is recovering from a shoulder injury but Jack Lam’s a class act who will bring a lot to the Premiership and there’s experience here as well.
“From my perspective, I didn’t play as much as I’d have liked at Saints so it’s good going head-to-head with all these boys now and, along with Jordan Crane, we want to push each other and ensure we make a big impact for Bristol.
“The bookies can write us off, we’d expect nothing less, but there’s a good bunch of lads here who’ve been through a lot of heartache whilst trying to win promotion from the Championship and they’re determined to do well now they’re up.”
Fisher is lodging with former London Irish teammate and current Bath full-back Tom Homer and admits the enormity of Bristol renewing their competitive rivalry with the old enemy after a seven year absence has already hit home.
He added: “Tom and I haven’t discussed it much, but we’ll play Bath at least four times next season so it’ll mean a lot to the fans of both sides and I’m determined to play a full part.
“I’m still trying to improve and I want that to continue consistently. Every single day under Bakes we’re being challenged to evolve.”
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