‘GREAT SEMI-FINALS AHEAD’

Teams have a shared responsibility to put on great semi-finals, says Bears boss

BRISTOL Bears rugby director Pat Lam has set his sights on “some great semi-finals” after one of the most difficult weeks in Premiership Rugby history.

Today’s Gallagher Premiership play-offs take Bristol to Wasps, while title-favourites Exeter host Bath, and Lam has underlined an aim for rugby to take centre stage.

Play-off contenders Sale’s climax to the regular season was postponed from last Sunday until Wednesday after 16 players and three staff tested positive for Covid-19, before an additional eight positive tests forced the match to be forfeited.

Lam said: “I sense that for us, and no doubt the other three directors of rugby involved in the semi-finals, there is a shared responsibility to put on some great semi-finals.

“A lot of things have happened off the field, but what can turn that straightaway is some great rugby.

“I’ve no doubt that Lee (Blackett), Rob (Baxter) and Stu (Hooper) are all keen for their teams to do well and play some exciting rugby to put the focus back on the game.”

Bristol have the big-game players to trouble Wasps – no one more so than their brilliant Fijian centre Semi Radradra – but they will encounter opponents beaten only once in their last 12 Premiership games.

That defeat – against Sale – came three matches into the Premiership’s restart in August, since when Wasps have posted 246 points and 31 tries.

It could be an attacking extravaganza, but Lam has underlined the importance of watertight defence.

“Team attack wins you games, but team defence defines your culture and your championships,” he added.