Bristol Bears announce retained list

With nineteen players leaving, Pat Lam welcomes seven new signings, with Semi Radradra, Kyle Sinckler, Chris Cook and Mitch Eadie joining the club from July 1^st.

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 Academy to bolster his squad numbers. Six players join the 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 nineteen 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.

Director of Rugby Pat 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.”

2020/21 squad (*denotes Integrated Academy)

Tighthead prop

John Afoa
Jake Armstrong
Kyle Sinckler

Loosehead prop

Max Lahiff
Yann Thomas
Jake Woolmore
Andrew Turner*

Hooker

Will Capon
Harry Thacker
George Kloska*

Second row

Dave Attwood
John Hawkins
Ed Holmes
Joe Joyce
Chris Vui
Ben Bamber*
Alex Groves*

Back row

James Dun
Mitch Eadie
Ben Earl
Jake Heenan
Nathan Hughes
Steven Luatua
Dan Thomas
Fitz Harding*

Scrum half

Chris Cook
Harry Randall
Andy Uren
Blake Boyland*

Fly half

Tiff Eden
Callum Sheedy
Ioan Lloyd*
Tom Wilstead*

Centre

Sam Bedlow
Piers O’Conor
Siale Piutau
Charlie Powell
Semi Radradra
Harry Ascherl*
Jack Bates*

Back three

Toby Fricker
Alapati Leiua
Max Malins
Luke Morahan
Siva Naulago
Charles Piutau
Henry Purdy
Deago Bailey*
Freddie Owsley*

Leaving

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