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Bristol continue their shopping, this time signing a familiar face from Northampton
By Online Editors
Fresh from starting their week with the announcement that they had captured England and Harlequins’ Kyle Sinckler on a two-year deal, Bristol have been shopping again and are bringing home former academy player Mitch Eadie on a two-year deal from Northampton.
Eadie, who grew up in Bristol and progressed through the academy system, made over 130 appearances between 2010 and 2017 and is now returning at the age of 27 from Franklin’s Gardens to add to that appearance tally.
“We spoke on the phone when Mitch left after Bristol had been relegated in 2017. He wanted to play at the highest level and I understood his reasons at that stage,” said director of rugby Pat Lam.
“I admired what he had done for the team before I arrived – he’s an exciting young Bristolian player who cares about the club. It didn’t work out as well as Mitch would have liked at Northampton due to injury and opportunities, but it was still a great experience for him and he will have learned a huge amount.
“We’re delighted to have him back and we know he will add real value to our squad and can contribute across the back row for the Bears.”
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Eadie added: “I’ve had a great three years at Northampton, learnt a great deal and it will always be a club and location that I look back fondly on, but I’m so pleased to be coming home and I’m grateful to Pat Lam for the chance to pull on a Bristol jersey again.
“Playing in front of Bristolians at Ashton Gate means a lot to me and I want to make them proud. I’m looking forward to learning a lot from a great coaching group and keep developing my game. I’m excited to be able to contribute to that vision moving forward and play my part in Bristol’s success.”
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Latest Comments
We beat Wales. Oh wow.
Go to commentsAs has been the way all year, and for all England's play I can remember. I missed a lot of the better years under Eddie though.
Lets have a look at the LQB for the last few games... 41% under 3 sec compared to 56% last week, 47% in the game you felt England best in against NZ, and 56 against Ireland.
That was my impression as well. Dunno if that is a lack of good counterattack ball from the D, forward dominance (Post Contact Meters stats reversed yesterday compared to that fast Ireland game), or some Borthwick scheme, but I think that has been highlighted as Englands best point of difference this year with their attack, more particularly how they target using it in certain areas. So depending on how you look at it, not necessarily the individual players.
You seem to be falling into the same trap as NZs supporters when it comes to Damien McKenzie. That play you highlight Slade in wasn't one of those LQB situations from memory, that was all on the brilliance of Smith. Sure, Slade did his job in that situation, but Smith far exceeded his (though I understand it was a move Sleightholme was calling for). But yeah, it's not always going to be on a platter from your 10 and NZ have been missing that Slade line, in your example, more often than not too. When you go back to Furbank and Feyi-Waboso returns you'll have that threat again. Just need to generate that ball, wait for some of these next Gen forwards to come through etc, the props and injured 6 coming back to the bench. I don't think you can put Earl back to 7, unless he spends the next two years speeding up (which might be good for him because he's getting beat by speed like he's not used to not having his own speed to react anymore).
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