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With a perfect record of eight wins from eight games, Pat Lam’s Bristol are looking in good shape to return the to Premiership at the first time of asking and their hopes of maintaining that potential Premiership status have been boosted by the signing of Leicester Tigers hooker Harry Thacker.
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Neither club have officially confirmed the move yet, but RugbyPass understands that an agreement has been reached for Thacker to join the club next season, with the front-rower keen to improve his chances of first team rugby and Bristol looking to add more English playing talent to their squad.
Steven Luatua was the club’s headline addition this season, whilst Ulster’s Charles Piutau will make the move from across the Irish Sea for next season, but the club have also been keen to bolster their squad with English-qualified players.
Former England U20 players Mat Protheroe, George Perkins and Joe Batley all headed to Bristol this season, as has talented second row Ehize Ehizode, with the West Country side keen to give youngsters a chance alongside their more high-profile – and highly-paid – foreign recruits.
With Tom Youngs the incumbent at Leicester, George McGuigan pushing for playing time and Tatafu Polota-Nau joining on a two-and-a-half-year deal next month, the opportunities for Thacker at Welford Road look to be limited, despite singling himself out as one of the more dangerous front-rowers with ball-in-hand in the Premiership.
He has made an impact in the back-row before now, but it is believed the player is keen to continue his development in the front-row, something which looks to be more viable in Bristol.
He will compete with the likes of Ross McMillan, Max Crumpton and Jason Harris-Wright for the starting jersey next season and will bring his own brand of dynamic carrying to Ashton Gate.
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