Rugby Battered Bears focus on recovery ahead of big Bath test

A BATTERED and bruised Bristol Bears have been focusing on their physical recovery this week as they prepare to do battle with a fresh Bath Rugby side tonight in the semi-final of the Gallagher Premiership.

- John EVELY

While Bristol were engaged in a physical, must-win game against Harlequins on Saturday, Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan was able to rest his first-team squad for their final regular season trip to Saracens, having secured their home tie in the play-offs with three rounds to spare.

Bath have played considerably more games than Bristol this season due to reaching and winning the finals of the Premiership Rugby Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup while the Bears were knocked out in the group stages of both competitions, but van Graan’s larger squad has allowed him to fight on three fronts and rotate more, allowing his frontliners to even let their hair down on a team social last week.

Speaking on Wednesday ahead of the semi-final, Lam said: “The effort the boys put in running-wise and collision-wise against Harlequins was pretty huge and we were pretty battered after the game. On Monday, we just pretty much did a classroom session. We just went through the key things we are going to bring into the game against Bath.