‘Another step forward’ - Lam

Harry Thacker and Charlie Powell crossed for Bristol, who were forced to play 20 minutes with 14 men following yellow cards for Dan Thomas and Jack Bates either side of half time.

Gloucester rallied late on and narrowed the deficit from 15 points to just three in the closing stages, but the home side held on for their first win of the 2019/20 season, much to the satisfaction of the Director of Rugby.

“It was a step up from last week which is what we were after,” said Lam.

LIVE! Pat Lam press conference post Gloucester. https://t.co/OfAQvxMW8e

— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) September 27, 2019

"I thought we were much better at the breakdown - we were more clinical and more aggressive and accurate.

“The first 20 minutes we were in complete control of the game, the set piece was good, the carries were good.

“The second 20, before half time, completely changed because we started to make fundamental errors - dropping the ball, throwing intercept passes – which gave them ‘an in’ to the game.

“It was better than last week, which moves us nicely to the third game against London Irish, as we prepare for Bath.
“We got a lot out of that game as we prepare for three weeks’ time. This gives us confidence, we are that sort of team, we know win or lose, what we need to do to get better.”