Siale Piutau has praised Bristol Bears' environment as being one of the best in the world as the club have confirmed he will depart at the end of the season, following five years in the West Country.
The former Tongan captain – who has made 66 appearances for the club and was named man of the match in Bristol's 26-23 victory over Leicester Tigers – joined the club in 2017 and was a Foundation Bear, helping Bristol to a European Challenge Cup title in 2020.
Director of Rugby Pat Lam said: “Siale’s impact on the club and our growth has been immeasurable.
"He has been an awesome senior leader in the group driving our game culture and standards as well as being an inspirational mentor, friend, and father figure to our players.
“He has been on a journey with Bristol and departs with the club in a better place and with the foundations for sustainable success. It’s a mark of his character as a person and a leader that he has had a positive influence on everybody across the club – players and staff.
“I believe Siale will continue to be a success and a blessing in his next chapter and beyond and we all thank Siale, Blossomand their children Emma, Azariyah, Caitlyn, Isaac and Isiahfor their love and sacrifice for the Bears. We will miss them.”
Piutau skippered Bristol Bears on 25 occasions including the 2020 European Challenge Cup win over Toulon in October to end a 37-year wait for topflight silverware at the club. On that occasion Piutau led the club with regular captain Steven Luatua at home to be there for the birth of his child.
The centre also captained his country at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Piutau added: “Representing the Bears and playing alongside my brother [full-back Charles Piutau] and a fantastic group of players has been a real privilege.
"I have been blessed to see the club flourish from when I joined at a very challenging time, to now under Pat’s leadership. I’m also grateful to the fans and the city of Bristol, who have made me and my family feel so welcome.
“The vision and culture at the Bears is second to none, one of the best environments I have been a part of anywhere in the world.
"There is alignment across the club and a genuine belief in what we can achieve. "
"It would be an incredible feeling to end this season with silverware after five great years here.”
Bristol have earned a home semi-final in the Gallagher Premiership in two weeks time meaning the club are just two wins away from being named Premiership champions for the first time in their history.
Bristol have already announced this singing of French inside centre Antoine Frisch from French PRO D2 club Rouen as a potential midfield replacement.
Siale Piutau joins Tom Kessell as confirmed as leaving the club at the end of the season with the scrum half moving back to his former club Cornish Pirates.
