Pat Lam: Bristol Bears in a ‘historic’ place against Bordeaux Begles

Bristol have twice reached the round of 16 in the competition between 2020 and 2022 but never progressed further.

This time last year they were knocked-out of all European competition following an away defeat to Clermont, winning just one of their group games.

Yet their victory at altitude in Pretoria last Saturday, in a remarkable 16-try contest – where they raced to a 21-0 lead inside seven minutes – showcased the Bears at their blistering, raucous, attacking best and means they are now unbeaten in their past seven games in the Prem and Europe.

They face a Bordeaux side who won the competition for the first time last season and have picked up maximum points so far this time around, including thrashing Prem leaders Northampton 50-28 last weekend.

They are also packed with French internationals including wing duo Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.

“That’s what I wanted for the club, for the players, to have these big games. There’s a great consequence if you get the job done,” Lam added.

“They got some quality in their team and they got some depth, we all know about the French budgets and so forth and they’re well coached too, very, very well coached.

“But that’s what you want – you want to be playing the best.”