![Lam heaps praise on 'very clever' Ibitoye after starring role in Bristol win 1 Alasdair Mackenzie](https://imgresizer.tntsports.io/unsafe/40x40/filters:format(png)/dnl.tntsports.co.uk/sd/img/placeholder/tnt_logo_1x1.png)
Updated 13/10/2023 at 23:36 GMT+1
Pat Lam was happy with the efficiency of Gabriel Ibitoye after the Bristol Bears wing scored two tries in a 25-14 win over Leicester Tigers on the opening day of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby season. Ibitoye struck twice in the most fundamental half of to give his side an unassailable lead and Lam praised him as a ‘very suave rugby participant’. The Bears coach was additionally inflamed to welcome Virimi Vakatawa.
Elated Lam welcomes ‘incredible’ Vakatawa to Bristol – ‘It was a shock to gain him’
Bristol Bears’ Director of Rugby Pat Lam was fleshy of praise for participant of the match Gabriel Ibitoye after the wing starred in a mountainous Gallagher Premiership Rugby victory over Leicester Tigers.
Ibitoye scored two tries, one inside two minutes and the varied thanks to a slaloming bustle from the halfway line, to send the Bears on their formula to a commanding 25-14 win in the curtain-raising fixture of the 2023/24 season.
Speaking after the match, Lam was happy along with his participant’s efficiency – and even likened it to these of TNT Sports pundit and traditional England and Harlequins wing Ugo Monye.
“I don’t contain to blow [Ugo’s] head up nonetheless when [Ibitoye] was a younger boy watching Harlequins, he watched this man and he talks about this man – he looked admire Ugo! It was admire a flashback,” Lam said.
“I know that Gabs can bustle and all these things, that’s his bread and butter, nonetheless he’s a extremely suave rugby participant – defensive reads, work-payment, works effectively in the benefit three and he understands effectively.
“I’m so relaxed for him on chronicle of we had injuries to our fleshy-backs and he had to stride benefit to fleshy-benefit in pre-season video games and work with the younger boys and that in actual fact helped his recreation to comprehend.
‘Causing havoc in all locations!’ – Ibitoye runs half of the dimensions in stunning solo rating for Bristol
“He’s had the consolation of some senior boys before and he’s added to it here to take dangle of the lead, I think it’s in actual fact helped his recreation.”
A wonderful delivery to the season for the home crowd at Ashton Gate obtained even greater in the second half of once they caught a seek of their marquee summer signing Virimi Vakatawa.
The France important person came on in the second half of to rapturous applause from the home fans, and Lam admitted even he was bowled over to gain the likelihood to work with the centre this season.
“He only arrived on Monday, so we are expecting to seem more of him from next week,” Lam said.
“He’s been incredible. He obtained up in front of the boys and said ‘boys, that is my second club and it’s my second home. I’m here now.’
“We’re relaxed to contain him. It was a shock for us to gain him.”
Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers highlights – Ibitoye shines as Premiership season begins
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