Imagine the pressure: your team is riddled with injuries, key players are sidelined, and you're facing a tough opponent. Now, picture pulling off a stunning comeback victory against all odds. That's exactly what the Bristol Bears did, and their director of rugby, Pat Lam, couldn't be prouder. He's calling their recent Prem win over Exeter Chiefs a testament to the team's 'real Bears character'.
Lam's squad was severely depleted heading into Saturday's game. They were missing crucial players like first-choice half-backs AJ MacGinty and Harry Randall. To make matters worse, last season's top try-scorer, Gabriel Ibitoye, and new high-profile signing Louis Rees-Zammit were also unavailable. These are significant absences that would cripple most teams, showcasing the depth and resilience Bristol needed to overcome.
Adding insult to injury, Josh Carrington and Jack Bates were forced to leave the field early at Ashton Gate due to apparent head injuries. "With all the backs that are out, we couldn't even train properly for most of the week," Lam revealed to BBC Radio Bristol. He explained that the situation worsened during the game itself: "Then we lost Josh Carrington - another back - early, and Jack Bates. Tom Jordan got sent off, we had three number nines on the pitch." Talk about a crisis!
And this is the part most people miss: Despite the chaotic circumstances, Bristol managed to turn the tide. Trailing 14-8 at half-time after Tom Jordan's 20-minute red card, the Bears rallied. "Talk about real fight from this group - real Bears character," Lam exclaimed. "We talked at half-time about what we needed to do in the next 10 minutes [after Jordan's red card] and the boys executed it so well."
Lam, who took the reins as head coach back in 2017, considers this victory one of the highlights of his tenure. "That is probably one of the highlights of my time here. That was just such absolute guts." It marked their third win in four matches across all competitions, a welcome change after a humbling 50-17 league defeat against Saracens on October 4th. But here's where it gets controversial... Some might argue that a win against an Exeter side that is rebuilding is not that impressive, given Bristol's aspirations. What do you think?
That Saracens defeat, Lam admitted, was a low point. "We were pretty embarrassed because we lacked cohesion and there were lots of people in different positions," the 57-year-old stated. He emphasized the team's focus on physicality and determination in the aftermath: "The number one thing we talked about was our collisions and our fights. The group had question marks [over them] but we galvanised and brought it home."
According to Lam, the forwards played a crucial role in the victory against Exeter. "The forward pack really challenged themselves to step up. They said to the backs 'don't worry - we'll give you the platform'." This reveals the strong team spirit and the willingness of the forwards to take on extra responsibility in the face of adversity. This is the kind of leadership and resilience that can define a season.
Looking ahead, Lam acknowledges the need to address the team's growing injury concerns. The fifth-placed Bears are preparing for a visit to ninth-placed Gloucester on Friday (19:45 BST). "There's lots we're going to have to do," Lam conceded. "We've got a short turnaround to go up there on their artificial pitch." The artificial pitch at Gloucester presents another challenge, potentially exacerbating existing injuries. This is something the coaching staff will need to carefully manage.
Ultimately, this victory was more than just a win; it was a display of resilience, determination, and unwavering team spirit. It raises the question: can Bristol maintain this level of performance despite the ongoing injury crisis? And how far can this 'Bears character' take them this season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Do you think they can overcome their injury woes and challenge for the title, or is this win just a flash in the pan?
