Defeat to Sale Sharks will be a learning experience - Pat Lam

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam feels the recent Gallagher Premiership defeat against Sale Sharks will be a learning experience.

Lam's side had a dream start since the Premiership restarted with wins over Saracens and Gloucester Rugby and came close to defeat table toppers Exeter Chiefs before losing the encounter with a three-point margin.

A win over Sale Sharks last weekend would have seen them consolidate their second position but instead Steve Diamond's men ran a six-try riot to complete a 40-7 victory to claim the second place pushing Bristol to third place.

"This is a disappointing result, but we are a young team and we will learn from this,” said Lam to the official website of the club.

"Games like this give the player a chance to learn to continue in their development. This is a real positive as it gives us a chance to see how the players are learning.

"The other big positive for us is the way the players reacted today. We know that Sale are a really good side, and a really direct side. But we have got young players smashing into some big guys and that is a positive.

"But as part of the learning process, the guys have seen that the next level up for them is all in the details of their performances."

Bristol will now face Worcester Warriors in the 18th round at Sixways on 4th September.