Lam sees the focus shown at Exeter as example of the culture he wants at Bristol

Bristol boss Pat Lam admits he is an admirer of the culture that Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter has fostered during his 11-year reign at Sandy Park.

Tonight’s visitors, who have

Scots stars Stuart Hogg, Jonny Gray, Sam Skinner and Sam Hidalgo-clyne among their ranks, top the Gallagher Premiership table.

Both teams have been impressive since emerging from lockdown and boast 100 per cent records. Exeter have beaten Leicester and Sale and Bristol have overcome Saracens and Gloucester.

On Exeter’s ascendancy, Lam said: “They’ve done well [since the restart] but that’s what you expect. They are a team that’s well established and have led the way with the absolute clarity they want to play.

“That’s what we aspire to, not necessarily the way we want to play the game but certainly as far as clarity and culture is concerned.

“That’s what we’re growing at the Bears, how you play your part and what value you can add to us as an organisation whether you’re a player or staff member.”

Lam, inset, has played down the significance of the table-topping clash. Second-placed Bears are eight points behind the Chiefs with seven rounds of the regular season remaining and many observers view this match as a dress rehearsal for the Premiership final on 24 October. “As far as we’re concerned it’s just another game where five points are available as we all scramble to try to get into that top four for the play-offs,” he added.

“I’ve been in this game a long time as a player and a coach to not take much notice outside this environment of what people are saying, whether that’s extremely positive or extremely negative.

“They’ve been very successful over these years, but for us the only way we compete with that is to be a team ourselves and get our jobs right.

“It makes it interesting for people when they look at these fixtures, but for us involved in it it’s about getting our jobs done to the best of our ability.”