Bears boss Pat Lam revealed last week that, as marquee players, Piutau and new signing Semi Radrada will be sitting outside the salary cap next season. However, Piutau says there was far more behind his decision to stay than simple financials.
He said: “It was a big decision but an easy one. Having spent the time I have at Bristol so far, it’s been amazing for the city, fans and the club to see what we’re building here.
“When I came (in 2018) we had plans and the vision was there, but seeing the effort that’s going in, it’s no coincidence that results have gone the way they have.”
Was France or a return to Super Rugby ever on his radar? “It was a consideration but Bristol was always my first option,” he replies. “My family is enjoying it here and I’m enjoying my rugby at the same time.
“You need to be in a place where you’re being challenged as a rugby player and as a person and be at a club with aspirations.”
Denne historien er fra December 8 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 8 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Outside centre best for Freeman - Burrell
FORMER England centre Luther Burrell believes Tommy Freeman is best suited at outside centre and has the attributes to become one of the best players in the world.
McGann calling all shots for Raiders
GUERNSEY Raiders took the honours against hosts Havant in their first meeting in the league.
We're Jamin! Hodgkins puts boot in to rivals
LUCTONIANS' first home game of the season saw them put away a useful Clifton side comfortably.
Rams finally end their Sale hoodoo with rout
RAMS produced one of their best performances of recent times to overcome Sale in resounding fashion on a sensational afternoon at Old Bath Road.
Wallabies push All Blacks to the limit in thriller
NEW Zealand kept their grip on their Bledisloe Cup but an had to endure encouraging Australian comeback from 21-0 down to suggest the future may not be as bleak as it seemed two weeks ago for Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.
New boys Chinnor open up in fine style
CHINNOR came, saw and conquered at Grantchester Road on their Championship debut, with Cambridge well off the desired pace in a lacklustre first-half for the hosts.
Yendle in place to steal it for Dragons
THE Dragons claimed a third successive victory over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade in the most dramatic fashion thanks to a converted try in the 84th minute of this URC opener.
We must find another gear - Sanderson
NO side accumulated more points than Sale after the break for the Six Nations last season, but Alex Sanderson says they will need to be better again to make the play-offs for the fourth time in five years.
Falcons can't hold on to livewire Randall
BRISTOL picked up where they left off last season, having won seven of their last eight and, although it took time for them to hit top gear, they departed Kingston Park with a deserved four-try victory.
'Old-man' Itoje has Saracens buzzing
SARACENS' new recruits fitted seamlessly into their style of play to run out convincing winners at Kingsholm for the third year in succession.
