Bristol boss Pat Lam believes that Louis Rees-Zammit will “get higher and higher” after he made a try-scoring return to the Gallagher Prem.
The Wales wing featured for his first Prem look since December 2023 after leaving rugby union to pursue a profession within the NFL.
Coaching squad stints adopted with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars, however he didn’t make an everyday season look and was snapped up by Bristol as their star summer season arrival.
And he signed off a powerful all-round efficiency with Bristol’s fifth and ultimate attempt as they beat Leicester 42-24 in entrance of a 20,000 crowd at Ashton Gate.
“That was his first 80 minutes since he has come again,” Bristol rugby director Lam mentioned.
“Day-after-day he’s getting higher and higher, and what I favored about his sport right this moment was that he was bodily good within the contact as effectively. He didn’t get it simple, and that can give him lots of confidence.
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“When he first got here, I wasn’t certain how fast his transition can be by way of a brand new staff and the way in which we play, and his transition again into rugby health. I’m actually happy with him.
“His element and need to get higher and preserve pushing himself. he’ll simply get higher and higher now.”
It was not all excellent news for Bristol, although, as backs AJ MacGinty, scrum-half Harry Randall and wing Gabriel Ibitoye all suffered accidents that pressured them off.
Lam added: “AJ appears like he has achieved his Achilles. That appears essentially the most severe. Harry Randall and Gabriel Ibitoye are hamstring accidents.
“The one factor about AJ is he’s so skilled, and prior to now he has come again faster. You by no means know.”
Rees-Zammit, Ibitoye, flanker Fitz Harding, hooker Gabriel Oghre and alternative Josh Carrington scored Bristol’s tries in a bonus-point success, whereas Tom Jordan added 4 conversions and two penalties, with MacGinty additionally touchdown a penalty.
Wing Adam Radwan touched down twice for Leicester in Geoff Parling’s first Prem sport as head coach, with half-backs Jack van Poortvliet and Orlando Bailey additionally scoring and Bailey booting two conversions, however Tigers needed to be content material with a dropping bonus-point.
