Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Jake does a great job for the team – boss Lam
operating officer Tom Tainton, his presence as an understated, underrated but never under-appreciated member of this squad is invaluable.
“Jake was the (New Zealand) U20s captain when I was coming through, and I picked him up when he was at school in Auckland and he showed leadership qualities then, as he led our Blues U18s,” Lam said. “When I got to Connacht, I was bringing him along because, again, I knew him very well and he was phenomenal for us and was heading in the right direction until he got the injuries.
“And it was tough for him, but it also strengthened him and he’s at a stage of his career where he’s always been about the team – on and off the field – him and Luke Morahan have opened up two cafes here and he’s got a really good balance in his life.
“He’s got a lovely wife, Adele, from France, and the biggest thing is, his whole personality as to who he is, and the leader he is – he’s a bit of an unsung hero. People outside probably don’t pick up on him too much but he just gets the job done.
“He’s not as flashy as some other players, but what we have as a coaching team is we have absolute trust and faith that Jake will tick the boxes and do the right things. He’s filling in for Steven (as captain) and Joycey, who has only just got back, after not having a full pre-season, and it’s a role there which he does admirably every time.
“He knows he’s not going to play every time, every season, but he’s a team man and at the moment he’s doing a great job as he always does.”
Morahan will make his 100th competitive appearance for the
Bears when they take on Wasps at the Coventry Building Society Arena this afternoon.
The 32-year-old lines up in the back three alongside Charles Piutau and Jack Bates, who is one of three changes to the side that beat Bath in round one.
Will Capon starts at hooker, while Jake Woolmore is also named in the front row in place of the rested Ellis Genge. Heenan continues as captain in an unchanged back row.
Bristol: C Piutau; L Morahan, P O’Conor, S Bedlow, J Bates; C Sheedy, H Randall; J Woolmore, W Capon, K Sinckler, J Joyce, C Vui, S Jeffries, J Heenan (capt), M Bradbury. Replacements: B Byrne, Y Thomas, M Lahiff, E Holmes , S Lewis, A Uren, AJ MacGinty, R Lane.
Bath have made five changes to their starting XV for today’s round two Gallagher Premiership match against Sale Sharks at the Rec.
Wesley White earns his debut for the club at openside flanker, and Lewis Boyce comes in at loosehead prop. England wing Joe Cokanasiga makes his return to the side, with Will Muir selected on the left wing, while Jonathan Joseph returns to partner Cam Redpath in the centres.
After playing 80 minutes at Ashton Gate last week, Tom Dunn continues at hooker and Aranos Coetzee is set for his home debut from tighthead.
Dave Attwood and Josh McNally pair up in the second once again, and the back row also contains Josh Bayliss and Jaco Coetzee.
Captain Ben Spencer and Piers Francis partner in the half-back positions, and Tom de Glanville completes the backline at full-back.
Bath: