Lam's work ethic drives us - Heenan

WHEN Pat Lam took charge of Connacht in 2013, one of his first acts was to take Jake him.

- By PAUL REES

Heenan with Back rower Heenan was then 21 and the previous year had led New Zealand Under-20s in the Junior World Championship in South Africa when they lost to the Baby Boks in the Cape Town final.

Lam, below, knew Heenan from the flanker's days with the Blues Under-18 side, the franchise where he coached for three years from 2009, and and wasted no time in asking him on the journey to Ireland.

The pair have worked together ever since with Heenan joining Lam in making the move to Bristol in 2018.

"I have learned a lot from Pat, especially when it comes to leadership," said Heenan. "The first is that a leader of an organisation needs to be the hardest worker and you cannot outwork Pat.

"You know there is a reason behind a plan and that the work has been done. There is no guessing or trying things for the sake of it and it is a big part of why he has had so much success in his career.

"The style of rugby here is great but it comes down to a clear structure and system. I know what I need to do and that at any given moment I can execute for the team.