After creating headlines at the weekend with a game winning moment to see Bristol Bears comeback and beat Northampton Saints 28-21 on Sunday, flanker Fitz Harding has capped a spectacular week personally by signing a new long-term contract with the club.
The 21-year-old, who joined the club’s Academy from the University of Durham last summer, pens his first senior deal with Gallagher Premiership leaders.
Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “I’m really pleased Fitz has committed his future to the Bears as we’re very excited by what he will be able to achieve for himself and the team.
"He has a fantastic attitude, is extremely coachable and his actions have already earned the respect from his teammates.
“Fitz is a great example of the number of different pathways into professional rugby, having graduated through the BUCS system, and also highlights the detailed recruitment strategy of the club.”
Harding came into the Bears squad late for the trip to Franklin's Gardens following a calf injury to New Zealander Jake Heenan but put in his biggest performance for the club to date, as he picked up a loose ball one handed in the 77th minute and sped down-field before finding Andy Uren with a perfect pass to set the scrum half away for the winning try.
Speaking about his performance to Bristol Live, Lam said: "He is a testament to what players can do when they are hungry, hungry to improve.
Culturely he has fitted into the group very well, he has got his book and he learns all the plays and details and he is really connected to the guys.
Each time he has come on he has done really well, remember he is only 21, and I am really pleased for him.
He is the formula, that is what I want from the young guys.
"He learns a lot from Steven Luatua from Nathan Hughes and Jordan Crane working with our academy as transition coach."
With England international flanker Ben Earl set to return to Saracens at the end of the 2020/21 campaign following the completion of his season-long loan, Harding could play a huge role for the Bears in 2021/22 with Luatua, Dan Thomas, Heenan and Chris Vui the club's other regular options at six and seven along with the lesser used James Dun and Mitch Eadie.
Senior Academy manager Gethin Watts said: “On the back of the recent Senior Academy announcements, Fitz’s new contract underlines once again the alignment and long term planning across the organisation.
“Bears is a club that gives young players opportunities and what has been pleasing is how Fitz has taken his chance with the first team.
"He’s an excellent character and an example to the Academy of what can be achieved through hard work and diligence.”
Harding added: “It’s been a fantastic learning curve at Bristol Bears so far. The guys have been incredibly welcoming and my game is developing really well under Pat Lam and the coaching staff.
“We have everything here at Bristol to succeed; it’s a fantastic training facility with world class staff, so I’m excited to keep pushing hard for first team rugby.”
