Pat Lam tells wife to stay away from Bath semi-final and avoid ‘drenching'
Pat Lam, Bristol Bears' director of rugby, has taken aim at the expensive ticket prices and facilities at rivals Bath, telling his wife not to attend the Premiership play-off semi-final in case she gets 'drenched' in the Rec's uncovered stands.
Ahead of the teams's first meeting in the play-offs, Bristol had to return a portion of their tickets in a dedicated away section at the Rec, which ranged from £60 to more than £100. By contrast, the cheapest season ticket at Ashton Gate starts at £275 for adults and £80 for juniors, and Lam believes Bath's 'huge' ticket prices put off many Bristol supporters from making the short trip up the A4.
He even instructed his wife to remain in Bristol, with rain forecast for Friday night's semi-final. 'I think for the Bristol fans, the really good thing is they realise what a bargain they have at Ashton Gate and what they can pay for season tickets and the stadium and facilities,' Lam said. 'I think it is more to do with the price and the facilities. Even my wife was keen to go and when I went to look at the tickets I said: 'Love, you don't want to get drenched in that rain. I love you and I know you support me, but I don't need you to get drenched there.'
'The prices they are putting up there are huge and, at the end of the day, if people are going to pay it, they are going to pay it. It is going to be a sell-out and fair play, that helps Bath and their income, but ultimately for us it is about what happens on the field. We know that despite a lot of Bristol fans not going, they are still right behind us as a team and are still rooting for us.'
Bath will start the match as heavy favourites having finished the regular season top of the league, having already won the Premiership Cup and Challenge Cup this season. Bristol, however, completed a league double over Johann van Graan's side this season and have won 11 of their last 14 encounters, which Lam attributes to the local pride in his side.
'Motivation is a big one,' Lam said. 'The boys get up for his game pretty easily because of our fans and the Bristolians within this team drive that. You had Joe Joyce previously and a new breed coming through with Kloska, Dun, Capon and then you have Ellis Genge. As a foreigner coming into Bristol, you become part of the group and you quickly learn the importance of what we represent. The motivation takes care of itself and it is the easiest game for me as a coach.'
Bristol's last play-off experience ended in an agonising 43-36 defeat by Harlequins in 2021, but Lam told his players not to go into their shells and says that they will stay true to themselves no matter what. 'PSG, 5-0 in the Champions League final,' Lam said. 'Wow, that's someone staying true. People's perception of our style is not always accurate. I want the guys to be fearless, back your skills, trust yourself, trust your mates and don't be afraid. That to me is what finals rugby is about. I hate losing, but we don't fear losing by going out to try and win. If we do that then we can hold our heads up high.'
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