Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Bristol Bears Sign Steven Luatua and AJ MacGinty to New Deals

The club kept two senior leaders to preserve experience and mentoring as it pushes for major success next season.

Overview

  • Bristol announced on Wednesday that Steven Luatua has signed a one-year extension and AJ MacGinty has agreed a deal through the end of the 2026/27 season.
  • Luatua’s new contract takes him into a tenth season at the club after 160 appearances and 90 captaincies since joining from the Auckland Blues in 2017.
  • MacGinty has 56 appearances and 369 points for Bristol since his 2022 arrival and the club said his renewal follows a difficult spell with injury this year.
  • Director of Rugby Pat Lam highlighted both players’ leadership, professionalism and role in developing younger squad members as the main reasons for the extensions.
  • The signings aim to protect dressing-room continuity and on-field know‑how that Bristol believe will help their younger players and support the club’s push for Premiership success next season.