Pat Lam has paid tribute to departing Luke Morahan as a foundation player for the modern concept of the Bristol Bears, and admits he would dearly love to be able to keep the popular back for the remainder of the 2022/23 season.
The Wizard of Oz should play his 110th and final game for the Bears next Tuesday against Harlequins before leaving the city he’s called home for the last five-and-a-half years to sign for French Top 14 club Bayonne.
On the face of it, it’s a strange transfer given Morahan’s status as a centurion and regular, reliable and versatile performer in the Premiership but due to the reduced salary cap of £5m, Bristol simply can’t afford to keep the former Australian international.
