Bristol Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam says his team’s shift back to key attacking principles is what is driving the sudden change in attack.

Lam’s side currently have the second best attack in the Premiership, but that has been greatly boosted by their recent try scoring antics. In the past two games alone, the Bears have run in 109 points.

Speaking to the media ahead of their West Country derby with Gloucester, Lam said his team have gone back to their old ways in this particular area.

“We’ve gone back to the key principles of our attack, why we attack, our mindset around it and how we do it,” he said.

He added: “We went back to the real basics around; number one, being fearless. That comes from trusting that we’re not running as individuals but as a team, so to do that you have to work extremely hard to get into position so that you can see what’s on and then play with the guys around you and attack the guys around you.”

He also stated that his side have a new confidence in their attack: “Secondly, we play with a lot of confidence. When I say we go back to what the fundamentals are; anyone who knows what we can play, that’s what we do.”

Bristol seem to have their attacking mojo back, and when they are at their free-flowing best they are arguably one of the best teams in the Premiership.

Pat Lam on facing Gloucester

The Bears might be excused for feeling fairly confident ahead of their West Country derby against Gloucester after their win over Northampton Saints, but it won’t be a walk in the park for them.

Gloucester have won two games on the spin against Leicester Tigers, one of which saw them lift the Premiership Cup, and Lam knows his team will face a tricky challenge in front of a raucous crowd in the infamous ‘Shed’

“They’ve found themselves some form and won the Premiership Cup, and beat Leicester away at Welford Road. We know how tough that’s going to be.”

“Gloucester have tremendous support, the Shed and the Kingsholm experience; it’s fair they’ve had a tough season at the start, but they’ve hit form at the right time.”