Lam hopes Bears' 'fight' will bear fruit next year

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam believes that his side will benefit from this season's "fight and scrap" when they return for the new campaign.

The Bears eventually finished sixth after a final-day loss at Sale Sharks, nine points off a play-off spot as an injury-hit season proved too big an obstacle to overcome.

But they won as many of their Prem games, 11, as Exeter Chiefs who finished third, so Lam knows there are lots of reasons for optimism.

"In terms of cohesion, we have had to fight and scrap and adjust," he said.

"But the bonus of that is some of these guys getting an opportunity will be stronger next year."

Bristol had finished fourth 12 months ago, but they won one fewer game, 10, than they have managed in 2025-26.

However, last season they collected 18 bonus points compared to only 10 this season, with Lam saying that not being able to field a strong enough bench on a regular basis due to the sheer number of injuries was a principal contributor to them falling short of a play-off spot.

There will not be the same amount of churn over the summer at Ashton Gate as other clubs, with Bristol keeping hold of key players including centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Argentina lock Pedro Rubiolo.

"I would be surprised if we have a season like this [for injuries]," said Lam.

"There is excitement for us that through our adversity and the challenges, the boys stepped up to the plate.

"I look at the teams who finished down the bottom and they had injuries as well but I feel like we have coped and fought."