'We need to sharpen up' - Lam

Ioan Lloyd’s late penalty saw the Bears edge past Gloucester at Kingsholm on Friday night, but Lam was left to rue a number of missed opportunities and insists they must improve on recent form.

“From the review we can see that we blew so many try-scoring opportunities – that’s a credit to Gloucester, but when we look at ourselves, we were all on the wrong page. So, that’s what this week is about – tidy up our team attack and keep working on our team defence.

“One of the best parts of that game, was just after we nearly blew the game – we’d already given two interceptions and we gave as third one at the end, and that would have been the end of the game. But Ioan (Lloyd) getting back and then Luke Morahan getting back, and everyone in the white jersey, to a man, was head down, working back and getting onside.

“That speaks volumes and that’s what I’m proud about. However, what I’m annoyed about is that we had opportunities and spent 10 and half minutes between the 22 and halfway and we didn’t capitalise.”

Lam says the Bears will need to be at their best to overcome a London Irish side who have recorded bonus-point wins in their last two home games but is relishing a nine-day preparation off the back of three successive Friday night fixtures.

“It’ll be very tough, they’ve done well. The score against Exeter didn’t reflect the performance and effort that they put in, but we’re in for a pretty tough game and we understand that.

“The good thing is that, after three Fridays in a row, and the double testing and the challenges that presents, it’s nice to have a full build-up to this game, so we can tidy up areas of our game, which we need to.

“Declan Kidney has done a great job at London Irish and they seem to have a pretty good team spirit and it’s a big challenge for us. It’ll be nice to visit their new stadium as well, so we’re looking forward to it.”