Playing career

Lam enjoyed a distinguished and much-travelled career as a back-row forward, taking in New Zealand – where he was born – England and Samoa, for whom he won 34 caps.

The Aucklander captained New Zealand Secondary Schools in Japan in 1987 and New Zealand Colts in 1989 but was unable to establish a regular spot in the Auckland team between 1990 and 1994, so he moved to North Harbour in 1995.

In 1996 he appeared for Super 12 franchise Crusaders and during his time in New Zealand he made his Test debut for Samoa in 1991, before playing one game for the All Blacks in 1992 in a non-Test against Sydney.

Lam went on to captain Samoa and represented them in three World Cups, retiring from international rugby after the 1999 tournament.

By then he was in England, having joined Newcastle Falcons in 1997 and won the Premiership title with them in 1998.

Lam switched to Northampton Saints that summer and in his three years with the Midlands club he skippered them to that Heineken Cup triumph via a 9-8 victory against Munster Rugby in the final.

He returned to Newcastle Falcons for the 2001–02 campaign, before retiring as a player in 2002. He also appeared for the Barbarians that season.

Coaching career

Lam's coaching career has been even more nomadic, with spells in Scotland, New Zealand, Samoa, Ireland and England.

His first coaching position was as an assistant to Scotland at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. A year later, he returned to his home city, where he was head coach from 2004 until 2008, and during that period he also coached the Pacific Islanders in 2006.

Lam then served as head coach of Super Rugby team the Blues from 2009 to 2012 and coached Samoa on their 2012 tour, guiding them to eighth in the world rankings.

His first trophy as a coach came in his next job, as head coach of Pro12 side Connacht Rugby, whom he steered to their first major title in 2016 via a 20-10 win against Leinster Rugby in the final.

After four years with the Irish province, Lam joined Bristol Bears in 2017 as head coach and in his first season at the helm, he led Bristol back into the Gallagher Premiership with 21 wins from 22 games.

The 52-year-old was promoted to director of rugby in 2019, after leading Bristol to a highest top-flight finish for a promoted club in 12 years, five points off the play-offs.

A Heineken Cup winner with Northampton Saints as a player in 2000, the Bristol Bears director of rugby will be looking to lift his biggest trophy as a coach in the European Rugby Challenge Cup final on October 16.