Gloucester statement: 2021 Lions pick Harris extends his contract

British and Irish Lions midfielder Chris Harris has extended his contract at the playoff-chasing  Gloucester, the Scotland player believing his future in the Gallagher Premiership is best served by remaining at Kingsholm following a 2021/22 campaign of rich progress under George Skivington. 

A club statement read: “Gloucester are delighted to confirm that Scotland international and British and Irish Lion Chris Harris has extended his stay. Harris is an experienced international and his appearances on the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa last summer show how highly he is regarded in the world of rugby.

“Harris joined Gloucester from Newcastle Falcons in the summer of 2019 and has gone from strength to strength each season, rapidly establishing himself as a key member of the squad. He is quickly approaching 50 appearances for Gloucester and he has scored 25 points in the Cherry and White shirt so far.”

Fresh from announcing the names of the three players who are leaving Gloucester next season, Skivington said: “Chris is one of those players who is instrumental to what we are here at Gloucester. He is hard-working and has become one of the key leaders within the squad. 

“Whether it is in attack or defence, he always leads by example and is a real sprinkle of world-class talent in the group here at Kingsholm.”

Chief operating officer Alex Brown added: “Chris is a highly regarded and experienced international and we are all over the moon to have him stay here at Kingsholm. He fits the Gloucester ethos perfectly and is a real pleasure to have in the squad. I’m delighted that he wants to continue to play in Cherry and White.”