Press bitesize: Wasps (a) - Gallagher Premiership

'Threats from everywhere'

Chris Cook on Wasps challenge: “It’s always a tough place to play, at the Ricoh. Any team away in the Premiership is a hard game. They’ve got a big, physical pack and a dazzling back line, so you can expect it to come from everywhere really.

“The performance they put in against Leicester was phenomenal, so we’ve got our work cut out but we’re looking forward to the challenge and pushing on up into that top four.”

'Wasps full of confidence'

Pat Lam on Wasps: “They’re playing really well and with a lot of confidence – they are not only winning but with bonus points,” he said.

“They are playing great rugby on both sides of the ball, so no doubt about the challenge that we face up there.

“We’ve always found it tough against Wasps and we don’t have a great record against them, so there’s no doubt we’re underdogs travelling over there, and they are on fire. So, it’s a great challenge and I enjoy that, but it’s a tough challenge.

Settling in

Cook on settling in at Bristol Bears: “It’s a very easy group to settle into – it’s full of friendly and fun characters and it’s an awesome place to turn up to work every day and I’m really enjoying it.

“It’s nice to make a debut at home and wearing the home shirt is always nice, but it was a class game, class performance from the boys, so my job was easy when I came on, it was just try and enjoy yourself, express yourself and I think we managed to do that.”

Injury update

Lam on squad fitness and managing the schedule: “We don’t have major injuries, but certainly, as you’d expect after six games in about three weeks, there’s a lot of sore bodies, and these guys are awesome at what they do.

“I’m glad I’m not playing this game anymore, because it’s physical and recovery is important. You’re managing your schedule, your playing load, your squad. The challenge find now is only a four-day turnaround to Wasps and then only five days until a massive quarter final on the Friday night. So, I’ve got to make decisions now, and obviously there are regulations on the squad, with that challenge of a four-day turnaround.”