By PAUL REES

Pat Lam has re-established the French connection to the Premiership by signing powerful centre Virimi Vakatawa following a chance conversation in August.
The 31-year old was a regular in the France side before a heart complaint forced the Racing 92 three-quarter, who was first capped on the wing, to stop playing last year. He has since been given the all-clear by cardiologists and has signed a one-year deal with the Bears.
“I was coaching the Barbarians in August (against Tonga in Brive) and I had a phone call from him saying he was keen to play,” said Lam, below, Bristol’s ...