Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Lam expecting Bears to face stern test at Falcons
PAT Lam insists a tough test awaits his side at Kingston Park this weekend, as the Bears return to Gallagher Premiership action against Newcastle Falcons today (5pm).
The Bears are 12 points clear at the top of the table and on a run of five straight league wins, but the director of rugby says Dean Richards’ Falcons will be keen to bounce back from their Challenge Cup quarter-final defeat at Leicester.
Lam said: “It just makes them more dangerous. They are a good side who have had a few niggles and injuries, but they are tough, just like Dean (Richards), and physical and we found that when we played them at Ashton Gate. The score didn’t reflect how tough that game was.
“Playing on 4G is always a challenge and Newcastle will be used to it, it’s up north as well and people often find it difficult to go to Kingston Park, so there’s a big challenge there and they will be the first to admit that their performance last week wasn’t a true reflection of Newcastle, so we’re expecting a backlash and a real battle this week.”
The Bears’ exit from the Champions Cup at the hands of BordeauxBegles afforded them an unwelcome weekend off for the first time since January 29, but Lam admits the break has been “a blessing in disguise”.
He said: “There was real disappointment that we weren’t playing (in the Champions Cup quarterfinal) last week, but when you’re not, the break has allowed us to recharge. It wasn’t what we wanted but it was well received and has been a blessing in disguise. Everyone was reenergised when they came back in this week and keen to get back into it again now.”
England international Max Malins’ return to action is among nine changes for Bristol’s trip to Kingston Park. Malins features at full-back, with other starters including centre Siale Piutau, prop John Afoa and flanker Ben Earl.
Malins says he is ready and raring to go ahead of a potential return to action against Newcastle.
The England international, who has recovered from a thigh injury sustained on international duty, says his focus has been on bringing energy back into the Bears camp following the Champions Cup exit at Bordeaux-Begles.
“It was obviously a frustrating one against Bordeaux,” said Malins. “The boys were gutted coming in on Monday – I obviously wasn’t involved so don’t have that immediate emotion, but it was frustrating watching as well, but it’s our job, especially coming into the club, to bring that energy. I’m really looking forward to getting out there, so hopefully my energy can be transferred into some of the other players as well.
“We got the review done, came away with our learnings and now we can look forward and look ahead to the Premiership and a big end to the season coming up. I can’t wait to get out there and be back with the boys playing. It’s a tough, stern test against Newcastle – they are a great team who work hard, so it is no easy feat going there and getting a win.So, we’ve got to be on our mettle and hopefully bring a performance at the weekend.
“In attack, they like to play with width, they’ve got a great running game and they’ve got some dangerous players, they are solid in defence and have some great players at the breakdown as well, like Mark Wilson, who goes hard at there, so, we’ve got to be wary of their threats, but also, hopefully we can put our game on to them.”
■ This article first appeared on www.bristolbearsrugby.com.
■ Former England fly-half Toby Flood returns to Falcons colours as one of just two changes following last weekend’s Challenge Cup defeat against Leicester. Elsewhere, George Wacokecoke moves from wing to centre instead of Matias Orlando, with Cooper Vuna called into the starting line-up.