Scroll through the social media feeds of the Investec Champions Cup and you'll find a post listing the nominees for the best try scored in the second round of the competition.

Handre Pollard, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Jack Nowell and Matthis Lebel are names well-known to rugby aficionados but Welsh fans in particular should pay attention to the fifth name on that list. Bristol Bears found themselves on the wrong end of 35-7 hammering in La Rochelle, but 23-year-old wing Jack Bates scored a sensational individual try.

The right wing took a cross-kick under pressure from full-back Benjamín Elizalde before showing sensational footwork, pace and agility to beat three defenders for a cracking try. It was hard not to admire such a top class finish and it could be good news for Wales because Bates is Welsh qualified.

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The former England U20s star is eligible for Wales courtesy of his grandmother who hails from Cardiff. Given Wales' current struggles it would be a surprise if Bates' performance against La Rochelle didn't at the very least pique the interest of Warren Gatland and his coaching team.

And Bates' try against La Rochelle wasn't a one-off either, with the Bristol star crossing for a handful of cracking individual tries in the Gallagher Premiership. Bates, who can also play in midfield, was a member of the England U20s squad which won a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2021 and has made 41 first team appearances for Bristol, scoring six tries.

Bates is an instinctive player and at 6ft is very good in the air and solid in defence, while he has an explosive turn of pace. Wales lack strength in depth and experience in many positions but the back three will be strengthened for the Six Nations with Josh Adams having returned from injury, while the likes of Blair Murray, Rio Dyer, Josh Hathaway, Mason Grady, among others, are options on the wing.

But a player who is performing well on a consistent basis in both the Gallagher Premiership and the Champions Cup is somebody Wales should be keeping a very close eye on.