Bristol Bears scrum half Nic Stirzaker will leave Bristol Bears at the end of the season to join French PROD2 side US Montauban
The 29-year Australian never quite reached the heights that had been hoped of him after joining the Bears from Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels ahead of the 2018/19 season as Bristol returned to the Gallagher Premiership having won promotion from the Championship in director of rugby Pat Lam's first season at the club.
To date, in his two seasons at the club Stirzaker has made 18 competitive appearances in a Bears jersey with Harry Randall, who signed the same summer, and homegrown talent Andy Uren fighting it out between them for the two scrum half roles in the match day 23.
Lam said: “Nic is a consummate professional who has been a really positive influence for our young players and an excellent team man to have around the environment.
“His communication skills and leadership have helped our team develop and his performances on and off the field have contributed to our growth as a team.
“Nic speaks excellent French and his wife Estelle hails from France. We completely support them both in this move and for the next chapter of his career.
“We wish them all the best and know they will have an amazing life experience of playing and living in France.”
Montauban are currently 13th in the 16 team PROD2 which like the Gallagher Premiership is currently suspended.
Just last week Bristol were linked with a move for experienced Bath scrum half Chris Cook to provide competition in the key position with teenager Blake Boyland emerying from the academy ranks.
