Bristol Bears Bid Farewell to 17 Players as 2022-23 Season Concludes
As the 2022-23 rugby union season draws to a close, Bristol Bears have announced the departure of 17 players from their squad. Among the notable names departing the club are Dan Thomas and Ed Holmes, both of whom have made significant contributions during their time with the Bears.
Welsh back-rower Thomas, who has featured 144 times for Bristol, and lock Holmes, with 102 appearances, will join a host of other high-profile players leaving the club. These include fly-half Callum Sheedy, the club’s all-time leading Premiership points scorer, who has agreed a move to Cardiff, and Piers O’Conor, who is set to join Connacht.
England international Kyle Sinckler will depart for French side RC Toulon, while Magnus Bradbury is returning to his hometown club Edinburgh. Bristol have confirmed that negotiations with other players are ongoing, and the club’s 2024-25 retained list will be announced soon.
“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.”
- Pat Lam, Director of rugby
The departures come ahead of Bristol’s final home match of the campaign, against Saracens, which will serve as the last opportunity for the players to don the Bears’ jersey before their futures unfold elsewhere in the rugby union landscape.
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