Pat Lam Names The Six Nations Side He Would Love To Coach
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Best in the world.
As far as coaches go not many are held in as a high a regard as current Bristol Bears head coach Pat Lam.
The former Samoan captain led Connacht to a surprise PRO12 win over Leinster back in 2016 and completely transformed the entire western province from grassroots all the way up to the professional game.
He then took over Bristol Bears in 2017 and in less than three seasons has transformed them from a Championship side to potential Premiership winners with his side third in the table before the season was put on hold.
Lam also has some international experience with Scotland, working as an assistant with them early on in his coaching career but if he was to pick a Six Nations side to coach in the future the 51-year-old has revealed he would love to coach Wales.
Lam reckons Wales is similar to New Zealand in that it produces “natural” players and reckons they could very realistically be the number one team in the world at some stage in the future.
“Wales should have a genuine goal of being number one in the world,” Lam told BBC Wales’ Scrum V podcast.
“That starts with mindset and belief. But then you have got to start talking that way, you have got to start training and behaving that way, and that increases the chances.”
“I consider New Zealand rugby players pretty natural – they can play the game,” said Lam.
“I say the same with the Welsh. With Jonathan Thomas I am always talking about it – I am just amazed at the ability of Welsh rugby players.
“I am not advertising or trying to get a job or anything, but I would love to coach the Welsh rugby team.”