Bristol

With squads taking shape for next season, and discussions starting around expectations, it seemed worth putting together a list of how our squad is looking. Below is what I believe to currently be the case. I will keep this list updated as further announcements happen.

This link is helpful for showing confirmed movements across the league:
[en.wikipedia.org]

Loosehead
Ellis Genge (EQP)
Jake Woolmore (EQP)
Louie Trevett (EQP)
Andrew Turner (EQP)

Hooker
Gabriel Oghre (EQP)
Harry Thacker (EQP)
Tomos Gwilliam (EQP)
Sol Moody (EQP)
Kieran Hill (EQP)

Tighthead
George Kloska (EQP)
Max Lahiff (EQP)
Lovejoy Chawatama (EQP)
Jimmy Halliwell (EQP)
Sam Scott (EQP)

Second Row
Joe Batley (EQP)
Pedro Rubiolo
Joe Owen (EQP)
Josh Caulfield (EQP)
George Taylor (EQP)
Kenzie Jenkins (EQP)
Paddy Pearce (EQP)
Ethan Surrey (EQP)
Harry Wells (EQP) - Short term deal

Back Row
Fitz Harding (EQP)
Steven Luatua
Bill Mata
Ethan Staddon (EQP)
Ben Grondona
Khalik Kareem (EQP)
Luka Ivanishvili
Noah Williams (EQP)
Ben Rogers (EQP)

Scrum Half
Harry Randall (EQP)
Kieran Marmion
Max Pepper (EQP)
Oscar Lennon (EQP)

Fly Half
AJ MacGinty
Tom Jordan
Sam Worsley (EQP)
Louie Sinclair (EQP)

Centre
Benhard Janse Van Rensburg (EQP)
James Williams (EQP)
Matias Moroni
Victor Worsnip (EQP)
Max Clark (EQP) - Short term deal

Back 3
Kalaveti Ravouvou
Louis Rees-Zammit
Gabriel Ibitoye (EQP)
Noah Heward (EQP)
Jack Bates (EQP)
Aidan Boshoff (EQP)
Tobi Wilson (New Signing) (EQP)
Josh Carrington (EQP)
Ollie Harris (EQP)
Evan Morris (EQP)



Edited 8 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2026 13:11 by JMills.

Lahiff is out of contract, I believe. Was a one year deal.

Could be retiring/heading to Oz?

[www.bristolbearsrugby.com]

Max signed a new contract back in February.

AJ extending is a bit of a surprise. Hopefully he can get back to his now he's coming back to fitness.

Quote:

JMills
https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/centurion-max-lahiff-signs-new-bears-contract/
Max signed a new contract back in February.

Ah thanks! I must have missed this or totally forgotten.

That's good. He's like a fine wine.

Gwilliam, MacGinty & Luatua all extended.

Updated.

Seems a huge risk. Both have been great players, but have poor injury records and I assume they wouldn't have been cheap. With the current situation where Steve Lansdown doesn't appear to want to spend much money, it seems a big gamble to place such a large amount of money on two players who we have hardly seen this season.

We went with a small squad this season and it has bitten us. We seem to be chancing the same thing again, with very little experienced depth in key positions.

Max Pepper has been very rarely seen. Has he been injured or out on loan?

Quote:

graham t
Max Pepper has been very rarely seen. Has he been injured or out on loan?

He was injured came back and got injured again, cant remember what it was though.

10 seemed such a priority position as personally I think we need to play Jordan in his best position (FB or centre). Love how AJ takes it to the line and can unlock line breaks but his injury record is not great and he will be 37 in the next season. I think we need another 10.

That said I hope he plays on Friday and makes me eat humble pie!

Quote:

BearNecessity
10 seemed such a priority position as personally I think we need to play Jordan in his best position (FB or centre). Love how AJ takes it to the line and can unlock line breaks but his injury record is not great and he will be 37 in the next season. I think we need another 10.

With Aj re-signing we will have 4 10's including Jordan, Worsley and Sinclair

Quote:

JMills
Updated.
Seems a huge risk. Both have been great players, but have poor injury records and I assume they wouldn't have been cheap. With the current situation where Steve Lansdown doesn't appear to want to spend much money, it seems a big gamble to place such a large amount of money on two players who we have hardly seen this season.

We went with a small squad this season and it has bitten us. We seem to be chancing the same thing again, with very little experienced depth in key positions.

Mind boggling. Small squad, badly burned by injuries this season so we resign two old and injury prone players.

This can only be a good idea if they are on low wages and there has been a decision to bulk the squad out but we have no indication of that.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 28/05/2026 07:32 by BBB8.

Older internationals, injury prone....feels a bit Andy Robinson c. 2014.

I admire both hugely and I hope both smash it next season and stay injury free, but in terms of overall squad shape, balance and the identity of the starting XV I'm confused.

I’ve just been studying the Newcastle squad for next season and it doesn’t look any great shakes to me. Yes, some decent players, but also some second stringers. So I’m thinking now we’ll finish in the top 9 next season.

S. Grondona gone.. wasn’t expecting that! Leaves a big hole he was one of our better performers this season

Agreed, Rich Lane a bit of a surprise as well. Squad depth has got a bit thinner.

Jordan will move to FB.

Basically we chose AJ over Lane in the knowledge that TJ is a quality FB and emergency 10, with Worsley likely to get more game time, that he would have had if not injured

In amongst the leavers are the only two players that we signed following the Talent ID day, Edwards & Weston.

Quote:

TheHotSteppa
S. Grondona gone.. wasn’t expecting that! Leaves a big hole he was one of our better performers this season

If he is off, who steps up? Remember Dun has had a chunk of time at 6 too, so again I am questioning squad depth.