England star Ellis Genge is set to be added straight into Bristol Bears' leadership group when he returns to the club having captained Leicester Tigers to the Premiership title last season.
Lam has not had a club captain so to speak since he arrived at Bristol in 2017, with former All Black Steven Luatua his go to skipper in recent years following Jordan Cranes' retirement and transition into coaching and Siale Piutau's departure for Japan, with the likes of Joe Joyce and Callum Sheedy amongst the current crop of players to also lead the side.
Genge is unlikely to be replace Luatua as the club's primary on-field leader, but Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said Genge comes across as a leader in everything he does, a trait recognised by England head coach Eddie Jones who has added him to the national side's leadership group as well.
Lam hailed Genge’s “immense” contribution to England's 2-1 series win over Australia this summer where he put in indomitable performances to see him heralded as one of the best loosehead props, if not the best, in the world at the moment.
“Ellis was immense on the tour and he was immense all season for England and Leicester. When you talk to him, you can see why," Lam said.
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And Genge, who was effectively carted out of his hometown club bust-up Bristol five and half years ago before Lam arrived for a training ground bust-up with then coach Andy Robinson, is already impressing his new boss with his work ethic.
Lam explained: “Guys had to fill in some forms here – the internationals don’t have to do it as they are currently away – but Ellis was one of the first guys in the group to do it, sending stuff in and communicating, and he’s not even here.”
Lam believes that Genge prospered as Leicester skipper, adding: “It adds to your game.
“I always challenge guys to try and prepare and think as though they are the captain, because it does change the way you think – it is the bigger picture.
“I think everyone knows the growth Ellis is making and he will definitely be in our leadership group.
“He is back home and excited to be back home and, whether he has got a title or not, he is still going to be a massive leader in the group.
“A lot of the guys here, it is not really about the title they have, it is about the impact they will have throughout the group.”
While Genge prepares for a new chapter in his career, Lam was also enthused by Sam Jeffries’ presence on the England tour.
Jeffries, whose career was stalled by a serious knee injury which kept him out for two years, taking a back office role at the Bears, offers options in the back-row and second-row.
And his Bristol form last term prompted a call-up from England boss Eddie Jones to his squad in Australia after Charlie Ewels was ruled out by injury.
Lam said: “When Eddie does his visits and we talk about players, I said to him to have a close look at Sam because of the qualities that he has.
“He can play right across the back-row and second-row and getting away on tour shows how far he has come.
“Fair play, Eddie brought him into a training camp (earlier this year), they liked what they saw and there is no doubt he would have fitted in well.
“Sam is a remarkable individual, on and off the field.”
While Jeffries and Bristol's first choice scrum half Harry Randall did not get a minute of playing time on England's summer tour to Australia, Lam was positive about the experience for them and pleased they have come back in uninjured and in prime condition.
That England contingent will now have their time off, as will USA international fly-half AJ MacGinty and Scotland international forward Magnus Bradbury, before reporting back to Bristol's High Performance Centre next month.
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