Pat Lam signs contract extension with Bristol Bears until 2027/28 season

Bristol Bears have announced that director of rugby Pat Lam has signed has committed his long-term future with the club after signing a contract extension until the end of 2027/28 season.

Lam has been associated with Bristol Bears since 2017 when he became the head coach and later went on to become the club's director of rugby.

Under Lam, Bristol went on to gain immediate promotion to Premiership and in 2019 he helped them achieve ninth place - the highest points tally for a newly promoted club in twelve years.

In 2020 the club went on to achieve their best ever finish in a season when they ended third and went on to clinch the European Challenge Cup title as they defeated Toulon in the final. The 2021/22 season saw Bristol finish the league stage at the top after winning 17 out of the 22 games.

“It’s an absolute honour to continue as Director of Rugby at Bristol Bears. To have the opportunity to work with a great group of people, and to represent our community with pride and love is very special," he told the club's official website.

“I am grateful to have the continued support of Steve, Jon and Chris and I’m thankful that they have entrusted me to keep leading the Bristol Bears along our journey of Inspiring Our Community Through Rugby Success.

“While we have come a long way in the last four years, I am really excited by what is still to come as we challenge all of us individually and collectively to raise the bar every day.

“I genuinely believe that now we have all our Men, Women and Academy aligned as one club, we are poised to bring a lot of inspiration and success, on and off the field, for many years ahead and I feel very humbled to be a part of it.”