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Bristol Bears have confirmed that USA captain AJ MacGinty will join the team for the 2022-23 English Premiership season. While the club has not revealed the length of the contract, Neil Fissler of The Rugby Paper has reported that a three-year agreement has been signed.
MacGinty reunites with former Connacht coach Pat Lam at Bristol, who said in a media release that the move has been in his plans since he joined the Premiership club.
“It’s no secret having worked closely with AJ before, that I’m a huge admirer of the qualities that he brings to a team, on and off the field. I’ve kept an eye on his progress since helping him move to Sale from Connacht in 2016 and there’s always been an ambition to work with him again if the opportunity arose. His game management, defensive qualities, kicking ability and all-round understanding of the way I like our teams to play is excellent.”
After debuting for the USA in 2015 MacGinty was forced to leave Connacht due to the strict limits on non-Ireland eligible players contracted to the four Irish clubs. Since joining Sale in 2016 he has played 93 games for Sharks across all competitions.
MacGinty says the chance to work with Lam was the key factor in agreeing to the move.
“It was a difficult decision for me to leave Sale but Bristol Bears are a hugely ambitious club and their progression under Pat has been very impressive. He gave me my first opportunity in professional rugby and I am excited to work with him again.”
