Bristol Bears have confirmed 17 players who will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
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As in previous seasons, supporters will have the opportunity to celebrate and thank these players on Saturday following the round 17 clash against Saracens at Ashton Gate.
The club has confirmed that negotiations with other players remain ongoing and the full 2024/25 retained list will be confirmed during the final week of the season.
Pat Lam said: “This time of the year is always difficult as we say farewell to some great people who have contributed significantly to the club, on and off the field, throughout their time with the Bears.
“We thank them for their hard work and commitment to our Vision, and they can all be very proud of their efforts and achievements here. Once a Bear, always a Bear.
“As we have done for the last 7 seasons, we will be honouring these players in-house this week as a team and there will be an opportunity for supporters to show their appreciation at Ashton Gate following the conclusion of the Saracens game on Saturday, May 11th.”Director of Rugby, Pat Lam
Confirmed departing Senior players:
- Callum Sheedy (164 apps) – Cardiff Rugby
- Dan Thomas (144 apps)
- Piers O’Conor (131 apps) – Connacht
- Ed Holmes (102 apps)
- Kyle Sinckler (59 apps) – RC Toulon
- Magnus Bradbury (43 apps) – Edinburgh
- Charlie Powell (17 apps)
- Jono Benz-Salomon (14 apps)
- Fred Davies (13 apps)
- Jay Tyack (12 apps)
- Harry Ascherl (9 apps)
- Oscar Lennon (9 apps)
- Aristot Benz-Salomon (3 apps)
Confirmed departing Academy players:
- Macenzzie Duncan (9 apps)
- Charlie Rice (6 apps)
- Tom Sims (4 apps)
- Matty Jones (3 apps)
“We would have won 3-0” – Three Lions stars who slammed Warren Gatland after tours
Finn Russell has become the latest Lions tourist to openly criticize head coach Warren Gatland following the 2-1 series defeat against South Africa.
Finn Russell has become the latest Lions tourist to openly criticize head coach Warren Gatland following the 2-1 series defeat against South Africa.
#1. Sean O’Brien (2017)
The Irishman started all three Tests of the 1-1 drawn series with New Zealand.
“If we had a little more structure during the weeks, and more of an attack gameplan, driven way earlier in the tour, I think we could have won 3-0,” O’Brien said.
“With the players we had, we should have won the series.”
He later reinforced this point of view during an interview with Lions teammate James Haskell
“When you look at the players we had – there was so much world-class talent in the squad, enough to have won all the Tests.
“I know all about the history, how the Lions have only won seven Tests or something like that in New Zealand over the years.
“But look at what has happened to New Zealand since 2017. They’re still a brilliant team. But we (Ireland) beat them in 2018; South Africa beat them down there in 2018, Argentina had their win last year, England destroyed them in the (2019) World Cup.
“Think about it. The Lions not only had the best of England but also Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That’s where I was coming from; we had the players to do it. I didn’t intend to insult or undermine anyone by saying that.
“I certainly don’t want to do that this time because Warren’s a good coach, the right man to lead this tour. But do I still think we could have won 3-0? Yeah, I do.”
Sean O’Brien facts:
- Internationally, he played for Ireland for ten years, and toured twice with the British & Irish Lions in 2013 and 2017
- O’Brien played across the back-row, though he primarily plays as an openside flanker
- He bought Bellamy’s Pub in Ballsbridge with Leinster teammates Rob Kearney, Dave Kearney and Jamie Heaslip. After an extensive refurbishment, it was reopened as “The Bridge 1859”
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