Pat Lam wary situation out of Bristol's hands could scupper ideal position

Pat Lam has called on Bristol fans to forget the graveyard scheduling and turn out to help take them to the brink of the Investec Champions Cup knockout stages on Sunday evening.

The freak scenario of three away victories out of the three in the opening round in Pool 4 has opened the door for the Bears – who won at the Scarlets – to put one foot into the Round of 16 if they can beat Pau.

Bristol are averaging crowds of a healthy 17,430 at Ashton Gate in the PREM this season but their head coach is concerned the unappealing Sunday 5.30pm TV slot could slash the home support.

“We certainly wouldn’t choose 5.30 but that’s what happens. It’s European timing, it’s TV timing and we’ve been given that slot so we need to get out there and appreciate any support that comes,” said Lam, whose side will be without injured No.8 Bill Mata.

“I know it’s not the best but if we could get a great support there on Sunday it would be brilliant because it is a huge game for the club.

Fixture

Investec Champions Cup

Bristol

61 - 12

Full-time

Pau

All Stats and Data

“We all know that the fans make a big difference. We learned in Covid that with no fans in the ground it’s very, very difficult.

“I know our supporters want us to be in those finals (knockout games) come April.

“This game is really important because in our pool the three away teams won so now if the three of us all win our home games that’s going to put us in a great place as far as top four in a pool of six goes.

“So that’s the challenge and that’s what we’ve got to work for.”

Edinburgh were handed the last slot of the weekend in round one and, despite awful conditions in the Scottish capital, attracted a near-capacity 7,008 to The Hive Stadium for their victory over Toulon in Pool 2.

Pau do not have quite the same cachet as Toulon in European terms but they do sit second in the Top 14.

“They’ve beaten Toulouse, Racing and Clermont – they’ve beaten some big teams,” said Lam.

“They’re all on board with the way they play. That’s what I look at with teams – their clarity on what they do.

“They’ve got an excellent set-piece, they’ve got a very good kicking game, a good chase game and they’ll put pressure on you. You make mistakes and they’ll punish you.

“We’re under no illusion how hard this will be.

“We’ve got the French coming and this is all part of the process to get to where everyone thinks the Champions Cup road gets good.

“We haven’t been there for a while and we want to get there.”