By PAUL REES

PAT Lam believes taking a punt on Dave Alred will make a difference for Bristol as they look to put last season’s disappointments behind them.
The Bears hired kicking guru Alred, a Bristolian, on a short-term contract initially but such was the immediate impact he made that he will be staying for the season.
“Dave is a world class operator,” said Lam, Bristol’s director of rugby. “What he has done here in a short space of time is phenomenal – it was a nobrainer to ask him to stay.
“The players love him and his knowledge ...