Pat Lam challenges 'Roy Keane' of Bristol to take next step

Pat Lam has challenged uncapped Bristol Bears inside centre Jimmy Williams to play himself into the Wales squad after he was left out of their Six Nations plans earlier this week.

Williams, 28, who Lam says is the glue that holds the Bears’ back-line together, has also been compared to Roy Keane because of his consistency and leadership skills, and has been approached by Wales.

Even though the former Worcester Warriors, Sale Sharks and Hartpury ace was born in England, he qualifies for Wales through his mum, Yana, who ran cross-country for her country.

Wales boss Steve Tandy has instead vopted to pick Ben Thomas and Joe Hawkins, who are also capable of playing 10, and Lam says needs to keep up the form that has made him an influential player for the club this season to force his way in.

“I believe he is good enough to play international rugby. The key here is that he is playing in the PREM, and Matt Sherratt got hold of him and gave him a heads-up, which is good.

“Every coach has to look at the options that they have, and they know that he is there, but nothing changes for Jimmy. He needs to keep on performing for the Bears.

“They know that he is available and an option for them. It’s never about the player who gets in. It’s about the player who wasn’t selected: if he keeps going and makes it in, they get even stronger.

“There is a lot of rugby to go. Jimmy is not overly worried about it. He is just clear that he is available, but they have got a lot of options in the midfield at the moment too.

“I’ve said to him, play well for the Bears, and it takes care of itself. The good thing is that Wales got hold of him, that says that he is in the picture, but they have got some boys they have been working with, and I respect,” he said.