Exciting young fly-half talent Jac Lloyd has agreed professional terms with the Bristol Bears Senior Academy ahead of the 2021/22 season.
The 18-year-old Clifton College fly-half, was called up to train with the Bears senior squad last week between his school commitments with the club facing a crisis at stand-off however was not named in the matchday squad to face Wasps.
However Jac, who is the younger brother of Welsh international prodigy Ioan Lloyd - who is still only 19 and also signed up to a long term Academy deal at Bristol, has already been involved with Wales U18s and has now penned his first contract with the Gallagher Premiership club having represented the Bears from U15-U18 age groups.
Discussing Lloyd stepping up to train with the senior side this month, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said: "He did well. He is only young.
"He was brought in just in case. He was never going to be involved in the group this weekend but it was just in case we lost Tiff to something because we wouldn’t of had a goalkicker.
"Even though a lot of them think they can kick I watched them at training this week and it was horrific.
"Jac was there just in case and it is part of his experience. Jac is a good couple of years away but it is a good experience, he has come in from school and will be in our integrated academy next yea
Lam continued: “Jac is a fly-half with great potential who perfectly fits the club’s long-term plan and vision for homegrown players.
“The focus for Jac now will be to continue to grow and develop in all areas on and off the field which will enable him to compete and add value to the Bears.
“If he consistently puts in the hard work, I believe the rugby programme and our team culture at the Bears High Performance Centre will provide him with the best possible chance to achieve his dreams.”
Senior Academy Manager, Gethin Watts said: “Jac has followed in the footsteps of his brother, Ioan, in benefitting from the club’s partnership with Clifton College and now signing professional terms with the Academy.
“He has already had a taste of the senior setup in training and we’re impressed by his potential and work ethic.
"We look forward to seeing how Jac progresses in a high-performance environment.”
Like his older brother, Jac is a highly skilled player who looks to take opponents on with his hot stepping running game, and looks tailor made to play Bristol's exciting brand of attacking rugby.
