Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam says homecoming hero Ellis Genge has already lifted standards ahead of their Premiership derby opener against Bath.<\/span><\/p>\n Bears have won all four home derbies with Bath since returning to the top flight in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n “A lot of people can talk but he’s a doer, a giver, that’s one thing I’ve noticed,” Lam told BBC Radio Bristol.<\/span><\/p>\n “He’s a competitor, someone who has high standards. But it’s actions that ensure he gets better.<\/span><\/p>\n “Phenomenal is probably the word. He has actions, first and foremost, followed by very, very calm words that match the actions. <\/span><\/p>\n “But more importantly he has enjoyed himself. He’s come in, he’s come home really – this is his community, he wants to represent his people again, that drives him.”<\/span><\/p>\n Genge, 27, captained Leicester to the Premiership title last term and started England’s Test series-clinching victory over Australia in Sydney just over seven weeks ago.<\/span><\/p>\n As with all England players, Bristol had to apply for dispensation for Genge to feature in their season-opener and Lam said the player himself was determined to be involved.<\/span><\/p>\n “We put a plan in for Ellis and I think it started on the basis that Ellis arrived here, saw the first draw and said ‘non-negotiable, I’m playing that game, no one is stopping me playing that game’,” Lam added.<\/span><\/p>\n Bears will have two England props in their ranks with Genge linking up alongside Kyle Sinckler, who is fully fit after recovering from a back problem that troubled him for much of last term.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s his first pre-season in a long time and fair play to Kyle, the injury he had with his back, he played with a lot of pain,” Lam added.<\/span><\/p>\n “I think Ellis being here has lifted him as well, has challenged him – he and Ellis have a really strong relationship where they will push [each other].<\/span><\/p>\n “Two players don’t make the team but what they can do is influence. The best thing about Kyle and Ellis is they have come in and worked out – Kyle last year and Ellis this year – the Bears’ way.”<\/span><\/p>\n Bristol have won six of their eight league meetings with Bath over the past four campaigns but ended last season in 10th position, only a year on from finishing top of the Premiership for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n “I’ve seen real improvement – part of it is because new players have come in but also a lot of it is to do with the way we performed last year, there’s a lot of determination to be a lot better,” Lam added.<\/span><\/p>\n “We’ve been in the Premiership the last four years and we’ve got into the top four twice and we know what it takes.<\/span><\/p>\n “We are excited for the season and the derby takes care of itself, you don’t have to talk about intensity or physicality. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"Kyle](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/9A11\/production\/_126614493_shutterstock_editorial_10564972ay.jpg\")
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