Lam laments Bristol losing run as injuries mount

Pat Lam conceded Bristol have had far from an ideal three weeks as his side fell to another damaging defeat and exited the Champions Cup.

The Bears were beaten 59-26 by a star-studded Toulouse line-up to exit the European competition in the last-16 round.

The setback in France followed back-to-back Prem losses to Leicester and Harlequins that have left Bristol on the back foot in the race for the top four.

Bristol also have further concerns as centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg came off against Toulouse with a potentially fractured cheekbone, while they also lost lock James Dun and flanker Steven Luatua to injuries.

"These last three weeks haven't been ideal for us, we know that, and now it's just about regrouping, getting home," director of rugby Lam told BBC Radio Bristol.

"We've got a two-week build-up to Gloucester at home [17 April] and we've got six games to get ourselves into that top four."

Bristol won three of four Champions Cup group games, but that was only enough for third place in their group. Once they were drawn away to six-time winners Toulouse, they faced a mammoth challenge to reach the quarter-finals.

Although captain Fitz Harding's try gave Bristol the perfect start, they conceded six before the break to go in 40-7 down with the game all but done.

The Bears rallied during the second 40 minutes, scoring through Kalaveti Ravouvou, James Williams and Noah Heward, but Toulouse added another two of their own.

"We started off really well and we talked before the game about the way that they play, we can't give them anything for free, and unfortunately every turnover we made they scored - four tries off our mistakes," Lam said.

"Then we were trying to get a grip hold on the game, we're chasing the game, and it's difficult.

"By the time we got into half-time, they [the players] knew, it was like 'let's show a bit of pride for our fans that have come out'."

Bristol will now return to action in two weeks time in the Prem, at home to Gloucester with six games of the regular season remaining and a seven point gap to close in the table to Exeter in fourth.

"The first thing is reset ourselves, find out who's going to be available and then that's our only focus now," Lam said.

"There were some positives there - I thought the scrum was very good and some of our set piece work was good.

He added: "We'll get back and get more cohesive. There's a lot of positivity and glue in the group, we've got two weeks to get ourselves right and hit the ground running."