Siale Piutau has signed a one-year contract extension at Bristol Bears, the club has announced this morning.
The former Tongan international captain, who joined Bristol in 2017, has made 47 appearances for the club.
The 34-year-old centre, one of Tonga’s greatest ever players, announced his retirement from international rugby following the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
📝| One of @officialTongaRU‘s greatest ever players, @SPiutau, commits future to #BristolBears 🤝
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) February 26, 2020
Full story 👇
Director of Rugby Pat Lam said: “Siale is a key part of our group. He’s one of the big drivers of our culture and is well respected and valued by all the players and staff.
“It’s not just his personal performances, it’s the leadership role he plays and the clarity he brings to everybody on and off the field.
“We have excellent young players that are growing and learning what being a professional rugby player is from players like Siale, so to keep him for another season is massive for the Bears.”
The 10 biggest rugby players who are off-contract in 2020
1. Leigh Halfpenny
Current club: Scarlets
Market interest: The fullback signed a three-year deal with Scarlets in August 2017, turning down an offer from Bath, to return to Wales from Toulon. It’s now expected that he will join Bath, who remain interested in the experienced international.
Prediction: Will sign for Bath
2. Jonny May
Current club: Leicester Tigers
Market interest: Tigers will ty to keep him, but reportedly the offer is £100,000 lower than his current contract. He’ll be looking for one last big payday before ending his career on the French coast probably. Newcastle Falcons are very keen on May, according to RUCK sources.
Prediction: Joining the Falcons
3. Huw Jones
Current club: Glasgow Warriors
Market interest: According to Netwerk24, Jones would now like to leave the Warriors after falling out with the coaches and wants a move to the Gallagher Premier Premiership in 2020/21. Although he has yet to put pen to paper, Jones was poised to sign a two-year deal with Leicester Tigers last season and that offer is thought to be still on the table.
Prediction: He’ll head to Welford Road