Ibitoye can go to the next level, says Lam

BRISTOL director of rugby Pat Lam believes in-form winger Gabriel Ibitoye is capable of playing at the next level.

- MARK STEVENS

Lam watched on as the 26-year-old ran riot in the final quarter of last weekend’s win at Exeter Chiefs, claiming a hat-trick of tries to secure a famous 40-35 victory at Sandy Park.

Ibitoye’s try heroics in just eight minutes helped seal a fabulous fightback from the Bears, who had trailed by 20 points entering into the final quarter – and extended their winning run on the road to eight successive games in the Premiership. Naturally, Lam was quick to talk up the performance of the former Harlequins flyer who, it seems, is building on what was an impressive campaign last term, where he topped many of the top flight’s individual statistics, including metres made, most offloads and defenders beaten.

“What I’m really pleased with about Gabriel Ibitoye is, I believe he’s good enough to play at the next level,” said Lam. “There are areas of his game, which if you think about high balls for example, he’s brilliant at catching high balls.