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John Evely

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Bristol
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South West Rugby Writer covering Bristol Bears, Bath Rugby, Gloucester Rugby and Exeter Chiefs. What a job I have! Jonathan.evely@reachplc.com / 07715770289
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Articles by John Evely

Pat Lam opts for tried and tested as Bristol Bears sign additional second row

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Pat Lam opts for tried and tested as Bristol Bears sign additional second row

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bristol Bears have announced that former second row Josh Caulfield will rejoin the club ahead of the 2026/27 season after spending one season in Champ Rugby with last season's table toppers Ealing Trailfinders. The 29-year-old, who departed the Bears in 2025, returns to the West Country to bolster Pat Lam’s second row stocks ahead of the new campaign following the departure of James Dun to Harlequins this summer.
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Bristol Bears handed tough road to the 2026/27 Champions Cup knockout rounds as fixtures are confirmed

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
The Champions Cup is meant to be an elite competition, and in recent years many have criticised the competition as being diluted by having too many teams from the Gallagher PREM, with eight from the 10-team league claiming a place. Those criticisms are well-founded, but there will be no easy games for Bristol Bears in 2026/27, who have been handed a tough draw of fixtures in Pool Three.
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Bristol Bears duo set for England international debuts against Fiji

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By John Evely Verified
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Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg is tipped to 'bring his all-court game' when he makes his England debut, along with team-mate George Kloska, against Fiji on Saturday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Bristol Bears and Saracens stars join French clubs

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'He adds a lot' - Steve Borthwick talks up Benhard Janse van Rensburg as England face injury problems

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
England head coach Steve Borthwick was full of praise for Bristol Bears centre Benhard Janse van Rensburg, who looks set to make his international debut against Fiji this weekend at Everton FC's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Gloucester Rugby announce partnership with Japanese League One club

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Gloucester's Seb Atkinson gets shot to lay down a marker for England against South Africa

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Bristol Bears star Ellis Genge fit to start for England against South Africa

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Bristol Bears star Ellis Genge fit to start for England against South Africa

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bristol Bears loosehead prop Ellis Genge will be the vice-captain of England against South Africa on Saturday as the club's only player in the match-day 23. Genge has recovered from a calf injury he picked up in the derby win against Bath in the Gallagher PREM back in May. George Kloska misses out on a place in the matchday 23, and Benhard Janse van Rensburg is ineligible for selection until next weekend, when he will qualify for England after five years of residency.
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Bristol Bears learn their opponents in the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup pool stages

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By John Evely Verified
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Bristol Bears have discovered who they will face in the pool stages of the 2026/27 Investec Champions Cup.
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'He is going to need time'

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Bristol Bears talisman Ellis Genge attracting interest from big-spending clubs

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Rugby transfers rumours and news: Exeter Chiefs find lock, Newcastle Red Bulls winger U-turn

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
It may be club rugby's off-season but there are plenty of moves taking place around the Gallagher PREM as players and coaches come and go. Here is a look at all the latest confirmed moves and transfer rumours from around the Gallagher PREM...
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TV channel and start time

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By Jon Doel Verified, John Evely Verified
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TV channel and start time

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Rugby transfer rumours and news: Bristol Bears target key position, Matias Alemanno finds new club

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
There is a raft of free agents on the rugby transfer market as Gallagher PREM clubs have now announced their final squads. Here is a look at all the latest confirmed moves and transfer rumours from around the Gallagher PREM... Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam has confirmed he is on the hunt for an additional lock for his 2026/27 squad, having seen homegrown talent James Dun sign for Harlequins and releasing Steele Barker. Barker has since signed for the Champ Rugby side Cornish Pirates.
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Gloucester Rugby sign raft of age grade internationals to senior academy

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited Gloucester Rugby have confirmed nine players have signed senior academy contracts with the club, with eight of the cohort having come through the club's youth pathway. This year’s players include England age‑grade winger Junior Denny, fly-half Oli Hewitt, backrow Henry Horsfall and winger Krystof Wood, alongside Wales pathway centre and full back Tomos Evans and scrum-half Luca Woodyatt.
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Three Bristol Bears named in the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM Team of the Season

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
-Credit:CameraSport via Getty Images Bristol Bears' criminally internationally overlooked club captain Fitz Harding has been named at openside flanker in the 2026 Gallagher PREM Team of the Season.
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'World-class' Henry Slade one of four Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher PREM Team of the Season

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Rob Baxter says Henry Slade has to be considered 'one of the top centres in the world' on current form as the 33-year-old has inspired Exeter Chiefs to a return to the Gallagher PREM play-offs for the first time in five years. Slade finished the league campaign as the top scorer in the Gallagher PREM with 187 points, 44 ahead of second-placed George Ford, with his eight league tries helping his tally.
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Bath Rugby left empty handed at the Gallagher PREM awards

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
-Credit:CameraSport via Getty Images Bath Rugby club captain Ben Spencer has been beaten to the title of Gallagher PREM player of the season, as the Blue, Black and White walked away empty-handed at the league's end-of-season awards on Wednesday night despite an impressive campaign. The top award on the night was claimed by Saracens number eight Tom Willis, who will leave English rugby this summer to join Champions Cup winners Bordeaux-Begles.
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'Expecting a lot from this group' - Exeter Chiefs sign 10 players to academy deals as Rob Baxter looks to the future

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Exeter Chiefs have added seven forwards and three backs to the club's senior academy ahead of the 2026/27 season as the Devon club look to utilise their impressive educational links. Eight of the new intake have previously represented Chiefs at age-grade level with Mawgan Talling skippering the Chiefs U18s, playing with academy teammates Charlie Bosanko, Josh Bratt, Troy Jackson, Alfie Johns, Will Lane, Oisin Smith and Harry Westlake.
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Bristol Bears star Benhard Janse van Rensburg in line for first England run out

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Five Gloucester Rugby stars called up for latest England Rugby training camp

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By John Evely Verified
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Gloucester Rugby trio Ben Redshaw, Afo Fasogbon and Charlie Atkinson have been named in a 26-player England squad for a three-day training camp this week in preparation for the uncapped England XV v France XV match in Vannes. The game, on the eve of the Gallagher PREM final, is being used as a warm-up match ahead of the inaugural Nations Championship, providing players with an opportunity to break into Steve Borthwick's plans.
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Bristol Bears' makeshift 'all-English' side show bravery in defeat at Sale Sharks

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bristol Bears' unorthodox 'all-English qualified' team of fringe and out-of-position players can hold their heads high after fighting back from going 26-0 down to eventually lose 38-17 away at Sale Sharks on the final day of the season.
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Bath Rugby player ratings from Leicester Tigers win - 'Monumental'

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By Sam Jess, John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bath Rugby edged their way to a home semi-final in the Gallagher PREM playoffs after a tense 24-22 win over Leicester Tigers on the final day of the regular season. Leicester showed great continuity in the opening exchanges and took the lead thanks to former Bath boy Orlando Bailey. Bath then replied with one of their great and soon-to-be ex players in Thomas du Toit, whose power in the scrum won his side penalties before he rolled over for two tries.
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Hat-trick hero Thomas du Toit stars as Bath Rugby secure home semi-final with defeat of Leicester Tigers

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bath Rugby secured home advantage in the Gallagher PREM play-offs after beating Leicester Tigers 24-22 at a rain-swept Recreation Ground on Saturday on the final day of the regular season. The reigning PREM champions withstood a powerful Leicester challenge to nail down second place behind Northampton and will now host Exeter Chiefs next Saturday. Tigers, meanwhile, face a testing trip to East Midlands rivals Northampton when the title race reaches its penultimate lap.
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How to watch Bath Rugby v Leicester Tigers live on TV and full team news

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By John Evely Verified
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Bath Rugby take on Leicester Tigers on Saturday for a home semi-final in the Gallagher PREM, with both sides having already claimed their spot in the playoffs, but with the order of who plays who still to be written. The match also just happens to be a rematch of last year's PREM final, which Bath of course narrowly won. Here are all the ways you can follow all the action this weekend...
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How to watch Exeter Chiefs v Saracens live on TV for free and full team news

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter is calling on his new cohort of players to write the next chapter in the club's storied rivalry with Saracens when the two sides go head to head on Saturday for the final available spot in the 2025/26 Gallagher PREM play-offs.
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Exeter Chiefs and England star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso set for surgery....again!

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By John Evely Verified
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Exeter Chiefs star Immanuel Feyi-Waboso’s injury turmoil continues to blight his career, with his club confirming he will now undergo surgery on a facial injury he suffered in last weekend’s win against Leicester Tigers. The 23-year-old medical student is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous and exciting attacking players in world rugby, but both England and Chiefs are struggling to keep the elusive and powerful winger on the pitch.
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Bath Rugby injury and availablity latest ahead of Leicester Tigers: Finn Russell, Quinn Roux, Bernard van der Linde

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bath head of rugby Johann van Graan remained tight-lipped over the availability of mercurial fly-half Finn Russell for Saturday’s titanic clash with old rivals Leicester Tigers at the Recreation Ground. On the line for the victor is a home semi-final in the Gallagher PREM play-offs, which history tells us provides teams with the best possible chance of making the final a week later.
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Bristol Bears injury latest ahead of Sale Sharks: Ellis Genge, Fitz Harding, Jimmy Williams, George Kloska, AJ MacGinty

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bristol Bears are limping into the final game of the Gallagher PREM season away at Sale Sharks on Saturday after losing another four players to injury in Friday night’s 21-19 victory against reigning champions Bath Rugby. England loosehead prop Ellis Genge suffered a calf injury, club captain Fitz Harding broke his hand, and tighthead prop George Kloska and flanker Santi Grondona both failed HIA’s following head knocks and have been ruled out of this weekend’s game.
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Six Bath Rugby 2025/26 leavers confirmed: 'Leaving as a Bath legend' says van Graan

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By John Evely Verified
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Bath Rugby have confirmed their remarkably small, albeit high-quality, group of six departing senior players at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
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Exeter Chiefs injury latest ahead of Saracens - 'Ready to fly'

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bruised and battered but largely healthy, that was Rob Baxter’s description of his Exeter Chiefs squad heading into Saturday’s make-or-break game with Saracens as the race for the final spot in the Gallagher PREM playoffs comes down to the last day of the season. Chiefs head into the match sitting in fourth, with in-form Saracens three points behind in fifth following their 26-12 win against Harlequins.
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Bath Rugby confirm four departing senior academy players ahead of 2026/27 season

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Consistency and retention are the name of the game for Bath Rugby as the club have confirmed just four players in their senior academy will move on at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.
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Exeter Chiefs 2025/26 leavers confirmed: 20 to depart Sandy Park

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Injured centre Tamati Tua is one of 20 players who will leave Exeter Chiefs at the end of the 2025/26 season, the club have confirmed. New Zealander Tua has not played a single game this season after suffering an Achilles injury in training before the campaign got underway.
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‘Borderline irreplaceable’ star cleans up at Bath Rugby’s 2025/26 awards night

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By John Evely Verified
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Springbok prop Thomas du Toit was the big winner at Bath Rugby’s end-of-season awards this weekend as the South African walked away with three gongs. Du Toit, who will leave Bath this summer after three seasons to return to South Africa to join the Sharks in Durban, was named the Player’s Player, Supporters’ Player and Forward of the Year at the club’s in-house awards, which took place on Saturday, the day after the 21-19 defeat to Bristol Bears.
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'Folklore material' - Bath Rugby legend who sparked the lift off of the golden generation has died

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bath Rugby has announced the passing of former club captain Roger Spurrell on May 30, 2026, at the age of 71. Born on May 19, 1955, flaker Spurrell made his debut for Bath on September 18, 1979, against the California Seahawks. He went on to play 206 matches for the club over a seven-year transformative period which saw the Blue, Black and White become serious silverware contenders and winners. His final appearance came against South Wales Police in October 1986.
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Gloucester Rugby 2025/26 leavers confirmed: 12 players to move on, but not Ross Byrne

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Argentina international Matias Alemanno headlines Gloucester Rugby's list of 12 departing senior players at the end of the 2025/26 season. Despite plenty of speculation over his future, Irish international fly-half Ross Byrne, who has been strongly linked with a move to Perpignan despite still having two years left on his contract, is not amongst the confirmed leavers.
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Gloucester Rugby injury latest ahead of Newcastle Red Bulls: Tomos Williams, Val Rapava-Ruskin, Will Joseph

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
There will be no Kingsholm farewell on the pitch for Gloucester Rugby captain Tomos Williams, who has lost his fitness race to get back in time to feature in the final game of the season at home to Newcastle Reds Bulls on Saturday.
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Ross Byrne nearing early exit after disastrous first season

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Bristol Bears injury latest: Broken hand fears for captain Fitz Harding

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By John Evely Verified
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Pat Lam described how ‘he sat back in awe’ at the toughness of Bristol Bears captain Fitz Harding after the flanker played for nearly 70 minutes with a suspected broken hand during Friday night’s 21-19 comeback win over Bath Rugby.
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Bristol Bears confirm their 2025/26 leavers: Rich Lane headlines 12 departees

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By John Evely Verified
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Bristol Bears have confirmed 12 players will depart the club at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season, with full-back Rich Lane the headline departure following last night's flurry of contract announcements. On Wednesday evening, the Bears confirmed new one-year deals for club legend Steven Luatua and veteran fly-half AJ MacGinty to end speculation over their futures.
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Bristol Bears confirm the departure of Argentina international forward

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Flanker Santiago Grondona will depart Bristol Bears at the end of the season to take up an opportunity in France, the club have officially confirmed. The 27-year-old Argentina international departs after two seasons and 31 appearances for the club. The Puma scored six tries for the Bears, including a memorable double at The Rec in 2024.
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'World-class' Bristol Bears legend puts pen to paper on a new contract

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By John Evely Verified
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Bristol Bears cult hero Steven Luatua has signed a new one-year contract extension to take the backrower into his 10th season with the club. The 15-cap All Black, who also represented Samoa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, has now made 160 appearances for the Bears across eight seasons in the Gallagher PREM, captaining the side on 90 occasions during that period – placing him among the club’s most influential leaders.
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Pat Lam explains his thinking behind handing 36-year-old playmaker a new deal at Bristol Bears

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Pat Lam has locked down key lieutenant AJ MacGinty for another season after Bristol Bears confirmed his new contract on Wednesday night. Ahead of the club releasing their leavers’ list before the final home game of the season, as has become tradition during director of rugby Pat Lam’s nine years at the club, the Bears confirmed the late deal for the established leader.
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Bristol Bears announce new contract for homegrown forward

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By John Evely Verified
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Bristol Bears have confirmed a new contract for 23-year-old hooker Thomas Gwilliam as Pat Lam puts the final touches on his squad ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Gwilliam has come through the club's academy and, following Will Capon's suspension this season due to his legal troubles, has played a relatively significant role, making 12 appearances, including his Gallagher PREM debut. During his 15 senior appearances for the club, primarily in the PREM Rugby Cup, he has scored four tries.
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Steven Luatua and AJ MacGinty set to return to give Bristol Bears a boost ahead of the derby

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bristol Bears are set to have two of their most senior players back available for next Friday’s derby clash with Bath Rugby at Northampton Saints. Fly-half AJ MacGinty has been recovering from surgery after suffering a ruptured Achilles in the opening game of the Gallagher PREM, back in September.
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Bristol Bears ditch international games for the 2026/27 season

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Bristol Bears will not be playing an exhibition game against either international opposition or a Southern hemisphere team in 2026/27 after the occasions have failed to live up to the billing in recent years. In recent seasons, the Bears have played international XVs from Argentina, Australia, South African and touring Super Rugby side the Queensland Reds.
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England coach Steve Borthwick explains why he has selected Bristol Bears star Benhard Janse van Rensburg

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By John Evely Verified
| Yahoo Sport UK Verified
Steve Borthwick has defended the selection of Bristol Bears star Benhard Janse van Rensburg that could see the South Africa-born centre make his England debut this summer. Janse van Rensburg has been picked in a 42-man training squad that has begun preparations for the Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in anticipation of his qualification for England on residency grounds from July 8.
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