Varndell pens new Bristol deal

Editor

Bristol wing Tom Varndell has committed his future to the Premiership club until the end of the 2017/18 campaign.

The 31-year-old – the joint all-time Premiership leading try scorer with 90 tries to his name – has been a key player in Bristol’s top flight resurgence during the campaign.

"I’m delighted to extend my contract with the Club – there’s a great deal of momentum with us at the moment and everybody wants to keep pushing forward," Varndell told Bristol's official website.

"I’m enjoying my rugby and the attacking brand that we are trying to play, it suits my game. I’m settled in the city and there is a great spirit among the squad which is translating into our performances on the pitch in the Premiership right now.

"I want to continue to represent Bristol in the top flight in the fantastic surroundings at Ashton Gate. We have a job to do to keep this club in the Premiership and I’m confident that we can achieve that with the quality and belief we have here."

Varndell has notched five tries in seven Premiership outings, earning player of the month in December 2016.

Bristol head coach Mark Tainton added: "When he is at his best, Tom is one of the most dangerous players in the league – he’s a major asset to Bristol Rugby and has shown that in his recent performances.

"Tom wants to break that Premiership try-scoring record and he wants to help establish Bristol as a top-flight club, we want individuals with that sort of ambition and confidence in our group.

"The key for Tom now – as a senior player in our group – is to lead the way with his performances. He can engineer and finish opportunities out of nothing, and that creative spark will be crucial to us in the second half of the campaign."