Harry Thacker and Steven Luatua were among nine contract renewals announced by Bristol Bears on a frantic evening with the star forwards committing their future at Ashton Gate.
Thacker had been linked with a move away from the West Country with Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Falcons reportedly monitoring his situation but the 29-year-old will remain in BS3 having first joined the club in 2018.
His contract extension is particularly pertinent as confirmation came just a few hours after Bears had revealed the signing of Gabriel Oghre for 2023/24, with the assumption being that Thacker could have been the man to make way for the 24-year-old.
But the Bears will now boast three formidable options in the position, along with Will Capon - who signed a new contract in February - while the futures of Bryan Byrne and Jake Kerr remain uncertain.
Luatua was the first marquee signing brought to Bristol at the start of the Pat Lam era and has been with the club through its rise up the Championship and back into the Premiership, making 110 appearances in the Bears jersey.
The former All Black loose forward experienced an injury-plagued first half of the campaign but remains a hugely influential and outstanding performer as well as being a key figure in the dressing room.
Thacker and Luatua were joined by front row forwards Max Lahiff, Yann Thomas, Jay Tyack and Jake Woolmore, flanker Jake Heenan, centre Piers O’Conor and lock Ed Holmes in signing extensions meaning Lam retains a core group of his squad for the 2023/24 campaign.
As a collective the nine boast 822 appearances between them, with Tyack - who signed on an initial short-term deal from Worcester this season - the only man under 60 matches, emphasising the sense of continuity and consistency Lam is trying to maintain as Bristol will hope to rebound from a mixed Premiership campaign this term.
“A huge part of our long-term retention plan was to ensure the continuation of our experience and leadership within the group. To have four Bears centurions, and three players who are about to become centurions re-signing with the club reinforces this plan,” Lam said.
“These players, along with others, have really driven our culture and environment over the last four to six years and will take this to the next level as they continue to mentor the next group of players coming through around the Bears Way.
“As far as recruitment goes, to be able to bring in two very talented young English players in Gabriel Oghre and Sam Wolstenholme, who will add genuine competition amongst the group, is vital for the success of our team.”
This summer is still likely to lead to notable changes within the squad as superstar backs Semi Radradra and Charles Piutau are leaving to join Lyon in the Top 14, stalwart and club legend Joe Joyce is signing for Connacht, while scrum-half Will Porter has been confirmed as a Harlequins player for next season.
England international full-back Max Malins, hooker Oghre, scrum-halves Kieran Marmion and Sam Wolstenholme and Fijian international centre Kalaveti Ravouvou have been confirmed as new signings for next season so far.
