Savage Bears Serve Brive A Tasty Bagle

PAT Lam acclaimed his Bears romp in France as “a big statement” in their desire to become one of Europe’s leading clubs.

- Gary Fitzgerald

The director of rugby says his team selection is becoming very tough due to the early season success which now sees Bristol sitting pretty at the top of their Challenge Cup pool as well as the Premiership table.

Not many English teams ‘bagle’ the French in their own back yard so Lam was right to be thrilled by the clean sheet, and the comprehensive and impressive bonus-point destruction of Top 14 opponents who had not lost for over a year at their Stade AmadeeDomenech fortress.

Lam, whose side have won both their opening Pool 4 games and resemble realistic challengers for the title, enthused: “It’s a big statement from the boys.

“We know the team we want to be. We want to be at the next level and this is another big step in that direction. Going anywhere and playing well and winning shouldn’t be an issue. You just have to back yourself.