Bristol Bears extend Harry Byrne's loan despite AJ MacGinty's impending return

Bristol Bears have confirmed that Irish international fly-half Harry Byrne will remain at the club until the end of the 2024/25 season after agreeing an extension on the 25-year-old's initial three-month loan from Leinster.

The fly-half, who joined from the Irish province in January as injury cover for AJ MacGinty, 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 in the Gallagher Premiership at the beginning of the year.

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Bristol 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 game plan. 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 and Harry competing for the number ten shirt alongside Academy fly half Sam Worsley.”

Lam revealed to Bristol Live that AJ MacGinty, who is recovering from a knee injury, is scheduled to return to action to face Leicester Tigers on April 20, but there is some hope that he could be back as soon as March 29 when the Bears travel to Gloucester Rugby.

Speaking last month, Lam said: "Since the Leicester game [on December 21] we have been operating like Bath without Finn Russell, like Leicester without Handre Pollard, like Harlequins without Marcus Smith. No disrespect to those next guys but those starters are at the next level. We have had a long time without AJ but he is on track and should be back some time soon.

If not the Gloucester game then the one after that. He is due to be back for the week of our break [during the European last 16 knockout round] but knowing AJ and the way he trains he could get back sooner. He is looks five or six kilos bigger, he has put some work in because he has been out for a while. Our expectation is he will be back for the Leicester game but I wouldn’t be surprised if it is earlier, but we are not going to be taking any risks."

While the agreement to extend Bryne's loan deal will boost Bristol's chances against Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester in the next two rounds of Premiership fixtures with MacGinty out, it is as much about providing depth during the club's tilt at the title, with the Bears' second choice fly-half Max Malins out for the season with an Achilles injury.