Pat Lam addresses reports he's about to be sacked

There is speculation around the New Zealander’s future at the club, with Bristol recording just three wins in 12 Premiership matches this campaign.

As reported by The Rugby Paper, Lam is under contract until 2028, however former Wasps Head Coach Lee Blackett could be brought in as Lam’s replacement ahead of the 2023/24 season. 

The Rugby Paper reported that there are senior Bristol Bears players who are not happy with the current senior coaching staff, with Blackett’s name popping up for discussions for the club’s future.

Adressing the reports, Lam said: “I will be 55 soon and one thing you learn with experience in this job is that of course there is always pressure. We are in a performance industry.”

He added: "I never worry when everyone says ‘You are great,’ ‘Coach of the Year,’ ‘You should be doing this, you should be doing that.’ It is like white noise.

“When you win, everyone loves you, when you lose everyone gets on your back, so I am not worried about.

“I have a very strong relationship with Steve [Lansdown] and the board.

“Everyone sees what happens on the field, and of course we all know we are underperforming, but there are still eight games to go and I am very confident we will come home strong.”

“But I think the big thing is I don’t waste too much of my energy on that stuff [rumours]. Honestly.”

Fullback: Shane Howarth: "Someone I played with early in my career, he somehow came back from a broken neck to be an international player for Wales."

Winger: Eric Rush: "Best finisher I've seen in the game. He would bring a lot of humour to the group too."

Winger: Jonah Lomu: "Lomu has to be in. He was a larger than life character and we all know what he was like on the field."

Outside-centre: Va'aiga Tuigamala: "Scary. He was tough as nails."

Inside-centre: Frank Bunce: "A great character and a wonderful rugby player."

Fly-half: Jonny Wilkinson: "There could only one person. He came through as a schoolboy at Newcastle. I remember he tackled me once and I was like, wait this young lad can hit. His dedication was second to none."

Scrum-half: Gary Armstrong: "Nine was the most difficult between Dawson and Armstrong. I could never understand Armstrong due to his strong Scottish accent, but we could understand each other really well on the rugby field. Dawson can be waterboy."

Loosehead-prop: Peter Fatialofa: "Samoa captain for many years. Unfortunately passed away recently buy an absolute legend. A real enforcer, a piano mover by day, he was a great character and player."

Hooker: Sean Fitzpatrick: "A real competitor and winner. Very much demanded high standards and led the All Blacks for years.:

Tighthead-prop: Gary Pagel: "When I played for Newcastle me and him a had a bit of scrap. But you want a team that will be feared, and he would never take a backward step."

Lock: Robin Brook: "A good friend of mine when I was first coming through. He could play in the open and I always like my back five to be all athletic."

Lock: Doddie Weir: "He was an all-rounder. Doddie would win the ball in the air every time. He'd also keep the spirits high in the changing room. One of the games great characters."

Blindside-flanker: Tim Rodber: "He was superb. A tough bugger who had speed and could tackle as well. Awesome."

Openside-flanker: Michael Jones: "Changed the whole game. He was a back playing in a forwards body, but was tough as nails."

Number 8: Zinzan Brooke: "Another good character off the field. I've gone for really good rugby players, but have that quality away from the pitch that make them winners."