Lam’s praise for young Bears trio

Bates, Harding and Hawkins hailed for making impact against London Irish

YOUNG Bristol Bears trio John Hawkins, Fitz Harding and Jack Bates have drawn praise from director of rugby Pat Lam for helping give his side momentum heading into the winter months.

Number eight Harding, 22, lock Hawkins, 24, and centre Bates, 20, all stood out in the 45-33 victory over London Irish last Saturday in their side’s second win of the season and first bonus-point performance.

Harding was named man of the match at the Brentford Community

Stadium, Bates touched down for his first Gallagher Premiership try playing at outside centre with Semi Radradra injured, and Hawkins impressed from the bench after replacing Joe Joyce in the 21st minute following a clash of heads.

Lam said he was pleased with how the trio stepped up when called upon, with the Bears hit by injuries, but made it clear they had earned their spots in the matchday 23.

He explained: “It is more about performance. It is having players available who are performing.

“When they are performing, it gives me selection headaches, it is not about names, it is about who gets the job done.”

Discussing the performance of the trio, Lam said: “He is getting better and better is young Jack. This is all part of his development.

“There is no way he is the finished article, but he is now getting the opportunities, but it is about him continuing to learn, like the others.

“Fitz Harding, three games down the road, is playing to a really high standard, and John Hawkins came on and that is his first involvement of the season. I just had a quiet word to