Lam expecting Falcons backlash at Kingston Park

The Bears are currently 12 points clear at the top of the table and on a run of five straight league wins, but the Director of Rugby says Dean Richards’ Falcons will be keen to bounce back from the Challenge Cup quarter final defeat at Leicester.

'Falcons are tough'

“It just makes them more dangerous. They are a good side who have had a few niggles and injuries, but they are tough, just like Dean (Richards), and physical and we found that when we played them at Ashton Gate. The score didn’t reflect how tough that game was.

“Playing on 4G is always a challenge and Newcastle will be used to it, it’s up north as well and people often find it difficult to go to Kingston Park, so there’s a big challenge there and they will be the first to admit that their performance last week wasn’t a true reflection of Newcastle, so we’re expecting a backlash and a real battle this week.”

'Reenergised'

The Bears’ exit from the Champions Cup at the hands of Bordeaux-Begles afforded them an unwelcome weekend off for the first time since January 29^th, but Lam admits the break has been ‘a blessing in disguise.’

“There was real disappointment that we weren’t playing (in the Champions Cup quarter final) last week, but when you’re not, the break has allowed us to recharge.

“It wasn’t what we wanted but it was well received and has been a blessing in disguise. Everyone was reenergised when they came back in this week and keen to get back into it again now.”