Bristol Bears confirm playing squad and departures

David Skippers

Bristol Bears have confirmed their retained squad list as well as the departure of 19 players and the impending arrival of the club’s new signings.

Despite the large numbers leaving, Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam welcomes seven new signings, with Semi Radradra, Kyle Sinckler, Chris Cook and Mitch Eadie joining the club from July 1.

Saracens loan duo, Ben Earl and Max Malins, are set to arrive in August, with Fijian flyer Siva Naulago expected in the autumn.

Lam has invested in home grown talent from the Bears academy to bolster his squad numbers. Six players join the club’s integrated academy as Tom Wilstead, Deago Bailey, Andrew Turner, Harry Ascherl, Freddie Owsley and Fitz Harding agree professional terms, while Ben Bamber, Jack Bates, Blake Boyland, Alex Groves, George Kloska and Ioan Lloyd make up a 12-man group who will train full-time with the senior squad.

The 19 players confirmed to be leaving include Ryan Edwards, after eight seasons at the club, and Jordan Crane, who retires following an impressive 16-year career.

Will Hurrell, Aly Muldowney and Tom Lindsay join Crane in retiring from rugby after making significant contributions to the professional game.

Ian Madigan will join Ulster after a three-year spell at the club, Nic Stirzaker has signed for French Pro D2 side Montauban, Joe Batley joins Worcester Warriors while Mat Protheroe and Nicky Thomas return home to the Ospreys in the Pro14.

Lewis Thiede, Shaun Malton, Luke Daniels, Sam Graham and Ollie Dawe all depart for the Championship.

International duo James and Jordan Lay will head home to New Zealand, along with Adrian Choat, who returns to play for Auckland. Luke Hamilton and Bryan Byrne depart after short-term agreements.

Lam said: “We had a very emotional online team farewell to honour all our leavers last Friday, but I would like to publicly thank all our departing players for contributing to our journey during their time at Bristol Bears. Whether Foundation Bears or with us from last season, all these men have committed themselves to the club and our vision on and off the field – we are extremely grateful for that.

“I believe all those that are moving on leave the programme as better players and better people through the time and commitment they put into their own growth, as well as to the team and the development of this club. They’ve all played their part and we wish them the very best for the future.

“Although the pandemic means we had to recognise our leavers online compared to what we would do in a normal season, everybody will be welcomed back to celebrate the part they played for Bristol Bears at the conclusion of the 2019/20 season.”

Bristol Bears 2020/21 squad:

Forwards: John Afoa, Jake Armstrong, Kyle Sinckler, Max Lahiff, Yann Thomas, Jake Woolmore, Andrew Turner, Will Capon, Harry Thacker, George Kloska, Dave Attwood, John Hawkins, Ed Holmes, Joe Joyce, Chris Vui, Ben Bamber, Alex Groves, James Dun, Mitch Eadie, Ben Earl, Jake Heenan, Nathan Hughes, Steven Luatua, Dan Thomas, Fitz Harding

Backs: Chris Cook, Harry Randall, Andy Uren, Blake Boyland, Tiff Eden, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd, Tom Wilstead, Sam Bedlow, Piers O’Conor, Siale Piutau, Charlie Powell, Semi Radradra, Harry Ascherl, Jack Bates, Toby Fricker, Alapati Leiua, Max Malins, Luke Morahan, Siva Naulago, Charles Piutau, Henry Purdy, Deago Bailey, Freddie Owsley

Players leaving the club: Bryan Byrne, Joe Batley, Adrian Choat, Jordan Crane (retiring), Luke Daniels, Ollie Dawe, Ryan Edwards, Sam Graham, Luke Hamilton, Will Hurrell (retiring), James Lay, Jordan Lay, Tom Lindsay (retiring), Ian Madigan, Shaun Malton, Aly Muldowney (retiring), Mat Protheroe, Nic Stirzaker, Lewis Thiede