Harry Byrne extends stay at Bristol

Bristol Bears have extended the loan deal of Ireland international Harry Byrne until the end of the 2024/25 season.

The fly-half, who joined from Leinster in January as injury cover, will remain with Pat Lam’s squad until the conclusion of the campaign, as the Bears target a place in the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

Byrne has scored 36 points in six appearances since arriving from Leinster, having made his debut against Saracens at the beginning of the year.

With AJ MacGinty thought to be only a few weeks ago from returning to fitness, the decision to keep Byrne on the books has considerably strengthened the Bears’ playmaker options.

Irish-born USA international MacGinty has been sidelined since limping off in the first half of Bristol’s record-breaking win against Leicester in December, and had surgery on his knee.

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Harry has been excellent for us on and off the field since arriving on loan and we’re pleased to keep hold of a player of his quality and experience for the remainder of the season.

“He has settled in really quickly to our environment and gameplan. With an exciting run-in to the Premiership season coming up, squad depth is going to be really important, so it’s great to have the quality and big game experience of AJ (MacGinty) and Harry competing for the number ten shirt alongside Academy fly-half Sam Worsley.”

Byrne’s brother, fellow Leinster fly-half Ross, will move to the Gallagher Premiership at the end of the season after agreeing to join Gloucester.