Lam confirms contact from WRU and admits he'd love to coach Wales... but maybe not just yet

BRISTOL Bears director of rugby Pat Lam says he has only been approached by the Welsh Rugby Union to check his availability as he admitted he would consider the opportunity, despite his commitment to the title-chasing Gallagher Premiership club.

- BEN JAMES

Lam, who has previously won a Pro12 title with Connacht and is now chasing similar honours with Bristol, has previously spoken about how he would love to coach Wales.

At one point in the current search for Warren Gatland's replacement, the former Samoa international was favourite for the job with his name still mentioned amongst the leading contenders.

However, Lam revealed to WalesOnline on the Welsh Rugby Podcast that the contact he has had with the WRU was to check his availability.

"There was a check around my availability," said Lam. "That was all.

"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.

"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."

Given his previous comments about the Wales job, there has perhaps been a sense of inevitability that, someday, Lam will coach the national team.

However, the man himself knows that there might not be a job to take in three years time.

"You never know," he said. "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.

"It's about the here and now. That's why I said my main thing is about helping Bristol achieve a dream."

As for the quote, offered up to the BBC back in 2020 when he claimed he "would love to coach the Welsh rugby team," his feeling remain the same - even if now doesn't appear to be the right time.