Pat Lam: Bristol Bears boss relishes ‘dream’ Bath semi-final

Having joined the club in 2017, it is just the second time Lam has led Bristol into the Premiership post-season shake-up, having been defeated in the semi-finals by Wasps during the Covid-disrupted 2019-20 campaign.

After missing out on making the top four by just two points last season, Bristol held off late challenges from Gloucester and Saracens to set up Friday’s mouth-watering clash at The Rec.

“Our goal was never to just get in the top four though; this is just the first stage,” Lam added.

“Last year, we showed shoots that we’re coming back and we missed out. This year, with the smallest squad and probably the cheapest squad we’ve had in my whole time here, to do what the boys have done is brilliant.”

Having clinched a home semi-final back in April, Bath coach Johann van Graan has used the past month to tinker with his side and gave seven players their debut in last Saturday’s 36-26 defeat by Saracens.

“They’ve been able to rotate their squad,” Lam said. “They have that ability to play one week, rest the next week and then play one week.”