Rugby Samoan star Vui not named in Bristol’s squad for next season
SAMOAN international Chris Vui, who missed all of last season due to ‘a private family matter,’ has been left off Bristol Bears’ 2024-25 squad list with the versatile back-five forward having seemingly left the club.
French international centre Virimi Vakatawa has also left the club after one year at Bristol (see story below), adding to the 17 other players who were confirmed as departing earlier in the year. As previously announced, Fijian international No 8 Viliame Mata, tighthead prop Lovejoy Chawatama, second row Steele Barker, hooker Tom Doughty, scrum-half Sam Edwards and flanker Kofi Cripps are also added in a youthful 202425 roster.
The Bears have also added Wales Under-20 wing Aidan Boshoff, powerhouse centre Gethin O’Callaghan, Wales U20 prop Sam Scott and dynamic lock Ethan Surrey to their senior academy and former Leicester Tigers and England U20 centre, Jacob Cusick, is another new arrival in Bear Country, with the versatile young back signing a BUCS Super Rugby pathway deal and returning to Loughborough University to complete his studies.
Bristol head into next season with their senior squad of just 38 players well under the salary cap, allowing for potential transfer manoeuvres during and ahead of the new campaign should they be required.
Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said: “While our squad for the 2024-25 season will be the smallest we have had since I arrived at the club in 2017, I am genuinely excited by the quality of this group where the average age of our players has also come down.
“I believe we have great balance across the squad, with an exciting blend of young, hungry players with huge potential, alongside established internationals, and experienced proven Premiership performers.
“Once again, there will certainly be opportunities for all our players including our high number of homegrown men to compete and fight for Bears jerseys on the field. It’s an exciting time for the Bristol Bears as we look to continue to build on the momentum and the quality of rugby that we produced for the second half of last season.”
2024-25 Senior squad Loosehead prop: Jake Woolmore (150 apps), Yann Thomas (113 apps), Ellis Genge (43 apps), Sam Grahamslaw (9 apps) Hooker: Harry Thacker (114 apps), Will Capon (86 apps), Gabriel Oghre (16 apps) Tom Doughty
Tighthead prop: Max Lahiff (86 apps), George Kloska (43 apps), Lovejoy Chawatama
Second row: Joe Batley (62 apps), James Dun (33 apps), Josh Caulfield (23 apps), Joe Owen (14 apps), Steele Barker
Back row: Steven Luatua (129 apps), Jake Heenan (109 apps), Fitz Harding (71 apps), Benjamin Grondona (1 app), Kofi Cripps (1 app), Santiago Grondona Viliame Mata Scrum-half: Harry Randall (124 apps), Kieran Marmion (22 apps), Sam Wolstenholme (4 apps), Sam Edwards Fly-half: AJ MacGinty (36 apps)
Centre: James Williams (40 apps), Benhard Janse van Rensburg (23 apps), Kalaveti
Ravouvou (9 apps)
Wing: Gabriel Ibitoye (39 apps), Jack Bates (36 apps), Siva Naulago (33 apps), Deago Bailey (11 apps)
Full back: Rich Lane (35 apps), Max Malins (31 apps), Noah Heward (19 apps)
Senior Academy: Joe Jenkins - centre (11 apps), Andrew Turner - LH prop (9 apps), Paddy Pearce - back row (7 apps), Sam Worsley - fly half (7 apps), Harry Rowson wing (7 apps), Aaron Tull - back row (4 apps), George Taylor - second row (4 apps), Tomas Gwilliam - hooker (2 apps), Jimmy Halliwell - TH prop (2 apps), Aidan Boshoff wing (1 app), Louie Trevett - LH prop, Sam Scott - TH prop, Kenzie Jenkins - second row, Ethan Surrey - second row, Toby Baker - centre, Gethin O’Callaghan - centre, Ed Harvey - back row (Loughborough BUCS), Sami Hamid - full back (Loughborough BUCS), Jacob Cusick - centre (Loughborough BUCS), Will Pearce - LH prop (Cardiff Met BUCS)