The Daily Star Ireland
Harry Byrne, the 25-year-old out-half for Ireland and Leinster, has joined Bristol Bears on a three-month contract. He flew to Bristol this morning after the English Premiership club signed him as injury cover. This follows the knee injury to Bristol’s starting out-half, AJ MacGinty. With Max Malins also sidelined for the rest of the season, Bristol is short of options at fly-half, prompting the move.
Byrne, who featured in Ireland’s Six Nations campaign last year, has found playing time limited at Leinster, where he has been behind Sam Prendergast, Ciarán Frawley, and his older brother Ross in the pecking order. This season, he has made only four appearances off the bench for Leinster, despite having earned four international caps. Since his debut in 2020, he has played 72 matches for the club.
Bristol Bears’ head coach Pat Lam expressed enthusiasm about Byrne’s arrival, praising his international experience and his adaptability to Bristol’s playing style. Lam thanked Leinster for allowing Byrne to join the team and emphasized the value of his experience as Bristol enters a busy period with both Premiership and Champions Cup fixtures. Lam also noted the importance of bringing in cover at fly-half after the injuries to MacGinty and Malins, alongside academy player Sam Worsley, the only other specialist fly-half available in the squad.
Byrne could make his debut for Bristol in their upcoming match against Saracens on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Leinster continues to lead the BKT United Rugby Championship and sits second in Pool 2 of the Champions Cup, with a perfect record of 11 wins. Their next game is against La Rochelle on January 12.
