Andrew Blowers will leave Bristol in January to return to New Zealand © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Andrew Blowers

Teams: Bristol Bears | England

Former New Zealand international flanker Andrew Blowers will be released from his Bristol contract in January after deciding to return home for personal reasons.

Blowers will call time on his stay in the West Country on January 11, over five months before his contract runs out. He will return to New Zealand with his family as one of his children has failed to settle in the UK

"The school intake back home is early February and we want to get the kids back into school in New Zealand," he told BBC Radio Bristol.

Blowers came to the UK to play for Northampton after winning 18 caps for the All Blacks. He then joined Bristol in February 2007, helping them to third in the Premiership in the 2006-07 season. He is set to retire from the game on his return.

"I have really enjoyed the support from the fans. Bristol's supporter base is great," he said."I have got to know a lot of them very closely. Everyone at Bristol wants the club to succeed. It's made playing a lot easier. You play hard for them.

"The fans know if the whole team plays hard for the jersey then whether we win or lose they will support us."

Blowers was Bristol Supporters' Club Player of the Year last season, but has failed to break into the first team on a regular basis this season despite their position at the bottom of the Premiership. His last appearance for the club came in a defeat to the Scarlets at Stradey Park in October.

"The club is going through a hard time. Things can only get better," he said. "I really want Bristol to get some wins under their belts in the next three or four matches so they can stay up for next season.

"Every game is important. It is all hands on deck. The boys that are lucky enough to get into the team must push each other and work hard. Hopefully some of the other teams may have too much Christmas pudding and we can sneak up on the teams above us. Our goal has to be getting two wins out of the next three matches."