‘I love everything about Welsh rugby’ – Bristol Bears boss opens up on Wales head coach interest

Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has revealed he was approached by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) over the vacant Wales head coaching role, but will remain with the Premiership side.

Lam has been one of the leading contenders to replace Warren Gatland since the New Zealand-native was sacked, however, it now appears Steve Tandy will take up the post instead.

Pat Lam opens up on Wales job interest

The former Connacht boss has previously spoken of his desire to coach the Welsh national side, but he detailed that he will stay loyal to Bristol for the time being.

“There was a check around my availability,” Lam told WalesOnline. “That was all.”

However, he did admit he would like to make the step into coaching international level and opened up on his love of Welsh rugby in particular.

“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.

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“But 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.

“It’s exactly the way I feel,” he added. “Nothing’s changed in that sense.

“But I committed my time here at Bristol. We’ve got a job here.”

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Lam already has a decorated coaching career in the club game. He guided Connacht to their first ever domestic title in 2016 as they won the Pro12, before guiding Bristol back into the Premiership a year later. He has also tasted European success with the Bears, winning the EPCR Challenge Cup.

His comments also come following the WRU’s appointment of Dave Reddin as director of rugby and elite performance.

Upon his arrival, the former close ally of England football manager Gareth Southgate detailed that finding a new head coach is his number one priority.

“My immediate focus is on the appointment of the next senior men’s head coach,” he said in a statement. “But, I will also be immersing myself in gaining an understanding of the people and the game in Wales as quickly as possible to give me the insight to start to make positive changes for the future.”

As mentioned above, Steve Tandy is the leading contender to take on the job after interest cooled on Lam, while Cardiff’s Matt Sherratt and Harlequins’ Danny Wilson are also understood to be in the conversation too.

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