‘Bears must keep control of destiny’

Boss Lam wants to see Bristol secure home semi-final with victory at Leicester

PAT Lam believes that Bristol Bears’ Gallagher Premiership clash against Leicester Tigers this afternoon is important “to keep control of our destiny” as the play-off countdown continues.

Victory for Bristol at Welford Road would confirm a home play-off semi-final later this month, but with a crowd of 6,000 expected – Tigers’ first at home for more than 15 months – and Leicester pushing for European Champions Cup qualification, Bears rugby director Lam knows that it will be yet another considerable test.

Bristol were beaten by title-rivals Sale Sharks last Friday, and Lam said: “That was a great game to be part of. There were a lot of lessons.

“It is about securing the home semi-final for us and trying to finish top of the mountain in these next two rounds.

“This is an important game for us to keep control of our destiny.

“There is real clarity in how they (Leicester) want to play and what they want to do.

“Steve (Borthwick, Leicester head coach) has done a great job, and it is a big challenge. He is methodical, very clear and has a real presence and direction.”

Sixth-placed Leicester are on course to make Europe’s top-flight competition next term, with one win from their remaining two fixtures likely to be enough.

Assessing the task against Bristol, Borthwick said: “They are a superb side and have a star-studded squad at their disposal which they have heavily invested in over a number of seasons. They are the best team in the country and have deservedly led

Judge, with the Blue, Black & Whites confirming the signings of Scotland international D’Arcy Rae from Glasgow Warriors and South African Johannes Jonker from Ealing as replacements.

Number eight Zach Mercer’s move to French Top 14 oufit Monpellier has been confirmed, with 24-year-old back rower Jaco Coetzee brought in from DHL Western Province in his stead.

Loosehead prop Jamie Bhatti will also leave at the conclusion of his short-term contract to join Glasgow Warriors, and lock Elliott Stooke is swapping the Rec for the Ricoh Arena next season to link up with Wasps.

Replacements for Chudley, Stooke and Bhatti are yet to be announced.

Speaking last week, Hooper revealed: “From a recruitment perspective there have been a few bits going on, obviously two guys we have already got in the building in Jaco and Danny are going to be a big part of next year.

“Other than the tighthead props there are a few little bits to look at in terms of recruitment, a few upgrades from the academy of boys who have really stepped up this season and last.

“Probably the week before the end of the season we will be able to talk publically about what our squad will look like and the real final shape of it going into 2021/22.”

Bath were supposed to be in Gallagher Premiership derby action at West rivals Gloucester this weekend, but a Covid-19 outbreak in the Cherry & Whites’ training camp has seen that match called off.