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James Williams is shining for Bristol Bears in the English PREM and has many admirers
Wales head coach Steve Tandy has been urged to call up Welsh-qualified Bristol centre James Williams to his Six Nations squad. The 28-year-old is the unsung hero of the English giants and can also play outside-half.
Club coach Pat Lam believes his is capable of making the step up to international rugby and has just rewarded him with a new contract after a string of impressive performances over the past three seasons.
That news sparked delight among Bears fans, who see him as a key cog in a team striving to win silverware. Respected local rugby journalist John Evely also welcomed the news of his re-signing, writing: “If I were Wales’ head coach, Steve Tandy, I would definitely bring him into the Wales camp ahead of the Six Nations to take a closer look.”
Williams, whose mother represented Wales as a cross country runner, has been described by Lam as ‘the Roy Keane’ of the Bristol side given his no-nonsense approach and leadership qualities. He has proved an astute signing since joining from Hartpury in 2022 after struggling to nail down a place at a top side previously.
“There’s probably more talented players, without a doubt, but one thing I’ll back Jimmy on is he will compete and fight for everything,” Lam told WalesOnline’s Welsh Rugby Podcast, which you can listen to here.
“He’s probably like the Roy Keane of our team attitude wise. He won’t give in and he’ll fight for everything.
“My twelves are really important. They need to be able to play 10, drive the game and have second eyes.
“He’s another reject who was playing in the Championship. He was at Sale but got let go there and went to Hartpury.
“I saw him when we played them in pre-season and I thought who is this guy? They almost beat us and he was the one driving it.
“But I watched him closely and the way he controlled everything, so I offered him a contract. He’s taken that opportunity very well.”
Williams has played 58 times for the Bears since joining, scoring 12 tries and 141 points.
Lam said: “We’re delighted that Jimmy has committed his future to the Bears. Since arriving at the Club, he has continually raised the level of his performance, and the professionalism and leadership he shows every day make a significant impact on our environment.
“Jimmy is the ultimate team man as he brings people together on and off the field. He’s exactly the type of player and person we want at the core of our squad as we continue to grow our team to challenge for trophies.”
Williams said: “I love playing for the Bears. This club means a lot to me – the environment, the supporters, the boys I get to run out with every week.
“My game has improved massively since I joined, and that’s down to the coaching, the standards we set, and the trust we have in each other. I’m ambitious and I want to win silverware here. The belief in this group is huge, and I’m excited for what we can achieve together.”
English-born Williams played for the Barbarians against Samoa in 2023 but has never received any international honours.
Wales have struggled to find a successful centre partnership over the past couple of seasons, with Cardiff’s Ben Thomas given a number of opportunities in the 12 jersey before being dropped for Joe Hawkins in the final two matches of the autumn campaign.
