Steven Luatua, Harry Thacker among nine players to sign new deals with Bristol

Bristol Bears have announced that nine players including Steven Luatua and Harry Thacker have committed their future with the Gallagher Premiership club.

Thacker joined Bristol in 2018 from Leicester Tigers and has made 97 appearances scoring 45 tries - which is the most for any forward in the club's history.

Former All Blacks Luatua has played for the clubs 110 times since joining them in 2017 from Auckland Blues. He is also the current club captain.

Also extending their stay at the club were Max Lahiff, Yann Thomas, Jake Woolmore, Jake Heenan, Piers O’Conor, Ed Holmes and Jay Tyack.

Lahiff has played for Bristol 64 times since joining from Bath in 2019 while Heenan and O’Conor have racked up 91 and 120 appearances respectively. Holmes is another player nearing 100 games for the club after joining them in 2019 from Exeter Chiefs.

“A huge part of our long-term retention plan was to ensure the continuation of our experience and leadership within the group. To have four Bears centurions, and three players who are about to become centurions re-signing with the club reinforces this plan.

“These players, along with others, have really driven our culture and environment over the last four to six years and will take this to the next level as they continue to mentor the next group of players coming through around the Bears Way.

“As far as recruitment goes, to be able to bring in two very talented young English players in Gabriel Oghre and Sam Wolstenholme, who will add genuine competition amongst the group, is vital for the success of our team.”