Pat Lam’s believes Bristol Bears are partly to blame for Nathan Hughes not making England’s Six Nations squad.
The director of rugby was surprised his star number eight wasn’t selected by Eddie Jones as what he sees as a “like-for-like” replacement for Billy Vunipola, after the Saracen broke an arm against Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup.
And Lam feels the Bristol’s mid-winter slump damaged Hughes’ chance of adding to his 20 Red Rose caps.
After a storming start to the 2019/20 Gallagher Premiership season they lost three league games in a row to Saracens, Wasps and Leicester Tigers; having drawn at home to 14-man London Irish.
The Bears were back to winning ways on Saturday however; comfortably seeing off Gloucester Rugby .
Hughes won his latest man-of-the-match award in his first season since joining from Wasps and dovetailed wonderfully with captain Steve Luatua at six and the bundle of energy that is Dan Thomas at openside.
It came as a reminder of the ball-carrying power of Hughes – who was not selected for the Rugby World Cup – days after head coach Jones announced an England squad without a specialist number eight.
Speaking after the win over Gloucester, Lam said: “A lot revolves around Billy Vunipola. It’s a massive blow, I believe, because he’s that type of player, as Nathan is.
“If you’re looking at like for like, what Billy does, Nathan can. We’ve worked a lot on his involvements in games.
“He’s getting 60-80 minute games now and I keep my foot on his neck as well; making sure his conditioning is right and he does that.
“He’s a special player to be at that size and be able to play the game and make sure he can do it often.
“I’m pleased for Nathan (winning man of the match). Unfortunately, we had a dip as a team at the wrong time.
“We've put a lot of work into identifying the things we did and if we’d played like that (well) earlier on, Nathan and a few others possibly could have made the Six Nations. But, all we’ve got to do is keep playing well and put your name in there.”
Lam was delighted with how the back row went against the Cherry and Whites.
“Loosies are a trio,” he added. “We’ve been really emphasising that, to not just those guys but to all our back row. They’re good mates and spend a lot of time socially, which is good.
“They know their jobs depend on the other ones. If you look at all the best back-row combinations in the world they have really good understanding.
“These guys are growing that. They’ve got different qualities, but I think the big thing is they’ve got good friendships so that’s helping them.”
The Bears dominated possession and territory against Gloucester but couldn’t break the leanest defence in the league until the second half when Henry Purdy, Luke Morahan and Mat Protheroe crossed for tries to go with Callum Sheedy’s seven successful kicks at goal.
In the first half, the hosts were guilty of going too wide, too quickly and forcing offloads and passes until Lam and his coaching team reminded them of their key attacking principles.
“We showed the players video clips (at the break),” he said. “We were getting quick ball and there was lots of opportunity, but the defence was coming up to try to spook us and the boys were trying to play behind.
“We just needed to engage the defence. Don’t throw the miss passes and long balls. Just attack them and get direct. That was key.
“While the win is good, the boys thought they might have Monday off. I said: 'I would have given it to you if you’d got that bonus point. There were opportunities we certainly left out there.”
