BRISTOL TO LET 17 PLAYERS GO
BRISTOL Bears yesterday confirmed 17 players will leave the club at the end of the season, with headline departees including flanker Dan Thomas and lock Ed Holmes, who have both made more than 100 appearances for Pat Lam’s side.
Negotiations with other players remain ongoing and the full 202425 retained list will be confirmed during the final week of the season. The Bristol Post understands one of those players not involved in nego- tiations is dynamic hooker Harry
Thacker, who is under contract at the Bears for another season, with a section of the fan base fearing he could be moving on.
Several of the 17 departing players have already been confirmed by the Bears, with Bristol’s leading alltime Premiership points scorer Callum Sheedy joining Cardiff Rugby after 10 years at the club, while fellow centurions Piers O’Conor is off to Connacht, England international Kyle Sinckler will join French side RC Toulon after more than 50 appearances for Bristol Bears, and Scottish No 8 Magnus Bradbury re*joins his hometown club Edinburgh
after two seasons in the West Country.
Pat Lam, Bristol’s director of rugby, 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 seven 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.” Confirmed departing 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 Academy leavers: Macenzzie Duncan (9 apps); Charlie Rice (6 apps); Tom Sims (4 apps); Matty Jones (3 apps).