Pat Lam, who has been linked as a possible replacement for England boss Eddie Jones in 2023, has pledged his long-term future to the Bristol Bears.

The Director of Rugby commits to a new five-year contract, at the end of his existing contract, until the end of the 2027/2028 campaign.

Bristol’s most successful coach since the game turned pro, Lam was immediately promoted back to the top flight in his first season at the helm. In 2019, he led the Bears to ninth – the most points for a newly promoted club in twelve years.

A year later, Bristol clinched a third place in the Gallagher Premiership and won its first major silver medal since 1983 with a victory in the European Challenge Cup final against Toulon.

President Chris Booy said, “We are delighted to have secured Pat’s signature on a long-term contract. It’s no surprise that he has interest from all the top clubs in the world, so it speaks volumes to the Bears ambition that Pat was eager to stay.

“We are absolutely aligned with the management of the club. Bristol Bears will continue to grow and we will achieve lasting success at the top of the national and European game.

“Pat has assembled a team of humble young men who not only represent our community superbly, but they play an innovative brand of rugby that appeals to everyone.”

Owner Steve Lansdown said: “What Pat and his team have achieved in a short time at Bristol Bears is great, but it’s not just the way the team performed on the pitch, it’s the culture. and the standards it has set for itself on a permanent basis. move the organization forward.

“The Bristol Bears are on an exciting journey, and we’re delighted to have Pat at the forefront of that. He embraced the new branding and our vision to “inspire our community through rugby success”.

“From the Academy to our female team, Pat lives and breathes our mission every day. He gave the city a rugby club that we can be proud of.

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