Pat Lam has moved quickly to 'fill the void' left by Andy Uren leaving the club in the summer by signing Irish international scrum half Kieran Marmion.
Marmion will join Bristol Bears from Connacht, where he played under Lam previously, ahead of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership campaign. It was confirmed earlier in the day that Uren has been granted a lease from his contract three years early to join Italian United Rugby Championship side Benetton Treviso next season.
Thirty-one-year-old Marmion, who has 28 caps for his country but just eight starts, links back up with Pat Lam having won the Pro 12 title together at Connacht with a win over Leinster in the final back in 2016. Marmion has made 222 appearances for Connacht during an 11-year spell at the province.
Marmion made his international debut against Argentina in 2014 and was Ireland’s starting scrum half when they edged out the All Blacks in Dublin in 2018.
Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Once Andy Uren had requested an early release, we began the search for a possible replacement – someone with experience who would be the right fit for our team.
“I’m really pleased to be able to bring in Kieran Marmion- an international scrum half with vast experience who will bring huge value to us on and off the field.
“Having worked closely with him in the past, I know he is the perfect replacement to fill the void following the release of Andy Uren to Benetton Treviso at the end of the season.”
Marmion added: “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to represent the Bristol Bears on and off the field.
“I’ve followed them closely over the last few years and I’m really looking forward to working with Pat again and being part of the exciting brand of rugby that the Bears look to play.”
