**Pat Lam Speaks Out on Wales Coaching Ambitions and WRU Interest**
Pat Lam, the Bristol Bears head coach, has confirmed that he has been approached by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) regarding his future availability, amid persistent speculation linking him to the Wales head coaching role. Lam, whose impressive coaching CV includes an historic PRO12 championship win with Connacht, remains contracted to Bristol but has reiterated his long-standing desire to one day take charge of the Welsh national team.
Speaking candidly on the Welsh Rugby Podcast, Lam revealed that the WRU had reached out indirectly to gauge whether he might be open to a future move. “There was a check around my availability, that was all,” Lam said, playing down suggestions of formal negotiations or an imminent appointment. He went on to acknowledge, “Do I want to coach at international level? Yeah. But at the moment, I’ve got three more years here and I’m committed to Bristol.”
Despite this commitment, Lam openly admitted his enduring affection for Welsh rugby and didn’t rule out pursuing the job should circumstances allow in the future. “I have said before and it’s on record that I love everything about Welsh rugby. If the timing was available, of course you’d look at it,” he commented, underlining his long-held admiration for Wales’ rugby culture.
Lam’s name has frequently emerged in discussions about Warren Gatland’s future successor, particularly as the Wales job has been the subject of much debate since Gatland’s return and subsequent speculation around his long-term plans. Some have even viewed Lam as an inevitable appointment, given his coaching pedigree and repeated public declarations of interest.
However, Lam was quick to highlight the unpredictability inherent in a coaching career. “You never know,” he mused. “I never planned at being at Bristol or Connacht. That’s the thing about coaching. You can have these big plans, but you never know what’s around the corner.” For now, his focus remains on the present, as he seeks to guide Bristol Bears to their first-ever Premiership triumph.
Reflecting on his time at Bristol, Lam emphasised the progress the club has made under his stewardship. “We’ve made so many changes, arriving at a club that were languishing in the Premiership for 10-odd years. We haven’t gone anywhere near the bottom. But we need to win a trophy,” he said, alluding to the Challenge Cup win during his tenure but identifying the Premiership as the next major target.
The Bears’ current campaign has had its challenges, with heavy defeats denting their hopes of a home semi-final. Nevertheless, an upcoming fixture against league leaders Bath, set to be played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, offers Lam’s squad the opportunity to rekindle their title ambitions.
Throughout the interview, Lam spoke warmly about Welsh rugby and identified talent development and structural alignment as essential for future success. “I’ve always admired that about Welsh rugby. I grew up on Welsh rugby in New Zealand, watching the glory days of Phil Bennett and JPR Williams,” he recalled. Lam believes the real challenge lies in nurturing young talent and building pathways to senior success, saying, “It’s the responsibility of everyone to make sure there’s some clarity and alignment on how you bring that talent through.”
Drawing on his experience at Connacht and as part of the Irish provincial system, Lam highlighted the importance of alignment between the national setup and club structures. “When I left, Connacht had six players in the Irish team, having started with none. That’s an example of what top-down alignment can achieve,” he explained, advocating similar pathways in Wales to ensure club and country work closely together.
Looking ahead, Lam remains optimistic about Wales’ prospects, believing that with clear leadership, coordinated development, and a strong team culture, Welsh rugby can return to the summit of the game. “When you have the right game plan, culture, and leadership, you can compete. I’m pretty confident we’ll see Wales come back again,” he concluded.
As the debate over the next Wales head coach rumbles on, Lam’s willingness to one day take the reins—and his constructive vision for the game’s future—ensure he will remain a name to watch for WRU officials and supporters alike.