Wales links 'flattering' for Bristol boss Lam

Pat Lam won 34 caps for Samoa

Pat Lam admits links to the Wales head coach role are "flattering" but insists he remains focused on the "massive job" he has at Bristol Bears.

The 56-year-old has emerged as the favourite with bookmakers to become the next head coach of the Welsh national side following Warren Gatland's departure in February.

"It's flattering, but for me there's a massive job this week and this year," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

"When I look back at my time here as a club with all of the ups and downs and all of the things we're doing off the field, I'm really excited by where we are as a club.

"There's still a few things we need to do, and certainly one of them is to win the title."

Director of rugby Lam has been at Ashton Gate since 2017 and is under contact with the club until the summer of 2028, but has previously had international coaching experience on three occasions - with Scotland, Pacific Islanders and Samoa.

Gatland's successor faces an enormous challenge to improve matters both on and off the pitch with Wales - who have lost 17 successive Test matches.

It comes after Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt - who took charge of Wales' final three matches of the 2025 Six Nations following Gatland's exit - stated he would not be taking the role on a full-time basis.

And Lam believes his focus has always been on being in the "right job" as he continues to be touted as a contender for the Wales role.

"I've been coaching for a long time, I did international rugby with Scotland, Samoa and the Pacific Islanders," he added.

"For me it's about the right job. I had no plan to be in Connacht or Bristol, so for me, I've always focused on the role that I'm doing.

"I do like the challenges and I love the game and coaching, the big thing I love doing is organisational change as well.

"To be successful, so much has to be right. When I look at Connacht since I've left, they're still going really well and that's because of some huge structural things you had to put in place.

"That's what we're doing here at Bristol. Rugby can't be sustainable and successful if things aren't in place or the right people."

Bristol currently sit second in the Premiership Rugby table, six points adrift of leaders Bath.