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Matchday programme: Bristol Bears vs Wasps

In this week's digital programme, get the pre-match thoughts of Pat Lam and Nathan Hughes, find out about the eight Academy Scholars joining the club in the summer and all of the information about our Champions Cup last 16 opponents. We've also got the latest Bear Country blog and all the goings on from the award-winning Community Foundation.

In this week's digital programme, get the pre-match thoughts of Pat Lam and Nathan Hughes, find out about the eight Academy Scholars joining the club in the summer and all of the information about our Champions Cup last 16 opponents.

We've also got the latest Bear Country blog and all the goings on from the award-winning Community Foundation.

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ASHTON GATE | Friday MARCH 12th 2021 |<br />

7.45PM KO


CLUB DIRECTORY<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong>, Ashton Gate Stadium, Ashton Road, <strong>Bristol</strong>, BS3 2EJ<br />

Website: bristolbearsrugby.com | Phone: 0117 963 0600<br />

Email: team@bristolbearsrugby.com<br />

Twitter: @<strong>Bristol</strong><strong>Bears</strong> | Facebook: <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> Rugby<br />

Instagram: @bristolbearsrfc | YouTube: <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> TV<br />

staff DIRECTORY<br />

BOARD & DIRECTORS<br />

Owner: Stephen Lansdown CBE<br />

Director: Jon Lansdown<br />

Chairman: Chris Booy OBE<br />

Chief Executive Officer: Mark Tainton<br />

Company Secretary: Gavin Marshall<br />

BRISTOL BEARS<br />

Director of Rugby: Pat Lam<br />

Assistant Coach: Conor McPhillips<br />

Forwards Coach: John Muldoon<br />

Skills Coach: Sean Marsden<br />

Defence Coach: Omar Mouneimne<br />

Scrum Coach: Alasdair Dickinson<br />

Team Manager: Nick Fenton-Wells<br />

Head of Medical Services: Rory Murray<br />

Head of Athletic Performance: Kevin Geary<br />

Head of Performance Analysis: Stuart Powell<br />

honours<br />

ASHTON GATE STADIUM<br />

Chairman: Martin Griffiths<br />

Managing Director: Mark Kelly<br />

Group Head of Communications:<br />

Lisa Knights<br />

Stadium General Manager: Ross Wormald<br />

Head of Safety: David Storr<br />

Head of Grounds: Dan Sparks<br />

BRISTOL SPORT<br />

Chairman: Jon Lansdown<br />

Group Head of Communications:<br />

Lisa Knights<br />

Group Chief Financial Officer:<br />

Gavin Marshall<br />

Head of Marketing: Charlie Lincoln<br />

LEAGUE:<br />

• Gloucestershire County League 1898/99, 1899/1900<br />

• Sunday Telegraph English Merit Table 1965/66, 1973/74<br />

• Sunday Telegraph English and English/Welsh Merit Table 1971/72<br />

• RFU South West Merit Table 1979/80, 1981/82 • Allied Dunbar Premiership Two 1998/99<br />

• National Division One 2004/05 • Greene King IPA Championship play-off 2015/16<br />

• Greene King IPA Championship 2017/18<br />

CUP<br />

• Gloucestershire County Cup 1905/06 • John Player Cup 1982/83<br />

• Powergen Shield 2003/04 • British & Irish Cup 2010/11<br />

• European Challenge Cup 2019/20<br />

contents<br />

05<br />

13<br />

14<br />

19<br />

24<br />

29<br />

30<br />

32<br />

36<br />

38<br />

pat lam’s notes<br />

PLAYER PREVIEW<br />

Champions Cup draw<br />

LEAGUE STANDINGS<br />

2 3<br />

Crafted just down the<br />

road from ashton<br />

gate stadium<br />

(14.2 miles to be exact!)<br />

PLAYER PROFILES<br />

PLAYER SPONSORS<br />

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION<br />

ACADEMY NEWS<br />

bears country<br />

TEAM NEWS<br />

Editor: Will Carpenter<br />

Design: Charlie Burman / Maciej Stanke<br />

Photography: JMPUK<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


Pat Lam has put the emphasis on<br />

a ‘team performance’ as his side<br />

gear up for their New Year’s Day<br />

Gallagher Premiership clash with<br />

Newcastle Falcons at Ashton Gate.<br />

The <strong>Bears</strong> fought back to claim a bonus-point victory over<br />

Harlequins at The Stoop in round four, with Lam admitting to<br />

being disappointed with his side’s first-half display.<br />

PAT LAM’S NOTES<br />

But the Director of Rugby, who also hailed his side’s resurgence,<br />

said the focus was on ‘the <strong>Bears</strong> way’.<br />

“We made it clear after the game that we were so much better<br />

in the second half once we switched into team, and we, and the<br />

<strong>Bears</strong> way, and boys did well, they came back and got the job<br />

done,” he said.<br />

“You’ve got to remember, it’s been 19 years since we won at The<br />

Stoop against Quins, so it was a huge effort. But we also took a<br />

lot of learnings – we spoke about it as a whole club today, staff<br />

and players, around making sure it’s always ‘team versus me.’”<br />

PROUD<br />

The <strong>Bears</strong> welcome an unbeaten Falcons to BS3 on Friday,<br />

with Dean Richards’ newly-promoted side sitting second in the<br />

Gallagher Premiership table – and Lam says they are aware of<br />

the challenge they face.<br />

4 5<br />

BRISTOL<br />

“I’m looking forward to it. The last time we were at Ashton<br />

Gate against Clermont, we were pretty disappointed with our<br />

performance, so going back now against Newcastle, who are<br />

above us - and with these next two games playing against<br />

BEARS<br />

second and first<br />

MATCH<br />

- it’s a big few weeks for us as a club.<br />

“It’s our only home game in this stretch of three Premiership<br />

games and we want to give a really good account of ourselves,<br />

take the lessons that we learnt in that first 40 minutes (against<br />

SPONSOR<br />

Quins) and make sure we start much better and really go for it.<br />

“There’s no doubt there’s some experience in that Newcastle<br />

side, with Toby Flood and Micky Young controlling it really well,<br />

but ultimately they play well together, they work hard, and Dean<br />

Richards is a very good coach, a very experienced coach, and<br />

they’ve got clarity on the way they want to play.<br />

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“It’s a great challenge for us, but the focus is on us being us, and<br />

if we do that, it’ll give us the best chance of getting the victory<br />

at home.”<br />

PAT LAM<br />

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY<br />

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Pat Lam says a wounded <strong>Wasps</strong> side is a dangerous<br />

proposition as the <strong>Bears</strong> prepare to welcome Lee<br />

Blackett’s men to Ashton Gate on Friday night<br />

(7.45pm KO).<br />

<strong>Wasps</strong> have won the last five meetings between the sides and<br />

remain the only team the <strong>Bears</strong> have not conquered since their<br />

return to the top-flight – and Lam is expecting another tough test<br />

this week.<br />

“It didn’t click for <strong>Wasps</strong> last season at some stages, but when it<br />

did, they are dangerous, and we saw them make the final.<br />

“There are some quality players in there, and it’s like we found<br />

with Worcester, they are so desperate to get a win and that makes<br />

them dangerous. So, the focus for us has to make sure that we are<br />

mentally and physically prepared, after the recovery that we had<br />

and the challenge we face.<br />

“There’s a lot of respect for them – they are the one time we<br />

haven’t beaten since we’ve been back in the Premiership and it’s<br />

always been a tough match against them. We expect exactly the<br />

same against them this week.”<br />

Lam described the five points gained at Sixways as ‘golden’ after<br />

the <strong>Bears</strong>, inspired by Siva Naulago’s hat-trick, left it late to snatch<br />

a bonus-point victory over Worcester.<br />

Naulago’s treble and Andy Uren’s score on the stroke of half time<br />

earned the maximum allocation for Lam’s side – and the Director<br />

of Rugby praised his side ‘not panicking’ when trailing in the<br />

closing stages.<br />

“It was a really good day. I am really pleased considering the<br />

people that are missing,” said Lam.<br />

“There are guys getting their opportunities out there and they are<br />

doing their jobs, so any points for me during this time are golden.<br />

“We managed to get five, but it feels like 10 points to me because<br />

the guys had to dig deep to get the win.<br />

“We had to be patient and wait for our opportunity, when it came,<br />

we took it, and we closed the game out brilliantly at the end.<br />

“The late try was testimony to what we always say, don’t panic,<br />

it is an 80-minute game and keep working and the system is the<br />

solution.”<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


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6 7<br />

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BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


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BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


NATHAN HUGHES<br />

preview<br />

Returning Hughes<br />

relishing <strong>Wasps</strong> clash<br />

12 13<br />

The returning Nathan Hughes says he is ready and<br />

raring to go for tonight’s Gallagher Premiership<br />

clash with <strong>Wasps</strong> at Ashton Gate, after recovering<br />

from a dead leg in time to face his former club.<br />

Hughes sustained a dead leg against Gloucester in February but<br />

is relishing a return to action against a dangerous <strong>Wasps</strong> side.<br />

“<strong>Wasps</strong> certainly had the better of the last few games against us<br />

and in that respect, we owe them one. They’re going through a<br />

tough patch at the moment, but we know that when <strong>Wasps</strong> turn<br />

up, they are a very dangerous side.<br />

“They attack from deep and move the ball wide, so it’s an<br />

exciting game that everyone is looking forward to. We feel like<br />

we’re moving in the right direction, even with a lot of players<br />

being out, but it’s an opportunity for boys to step up against<br />

good opposition and end that losing streak against <strong>Wasps</strong>.<br />

“We’ve had a great week, we’ve prepared well, so hopefully we<br />

can go out there and get the job done.<br />

“I picked up a dead leg against Gloucester and have been out<br />

for a couple of weeks, but credit to the medical and S&C staff for<br />

getting me back out there.<br />

“I’m excited for this fixture, especially having moved here from<br />

<strong>Wasps</strong> a few years ago. It’ll be a great game and we’re all looking<br />

forward to getting stuck in.”<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


Champions Cup<br />

draw info<br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> will travel to Bordeaux Bègles in the last 16<br />

of the Heineken Champions Cup on the weekend of April<br />

2nd/3rd/4th.<br />

In a rematch of last season’s Challenge Cup semi-final, which the<br />

<strong>Bears</strong> won 37-20 after extra time, Pat Lam’s men face the side<br />

currently sat fifth in the French Top 14 at Stade Chaban-Delmas.<br />

The winner of this tie will earn a home quarter-final against the<br />

winner of Racing 92 or Edinburgh on the weekend of April 9/10/11.<br />

The holders, Exeter Chiefs, will play at home to Lyon in the Round of<br />

16, while reigning Guinness PRO14 champions, Leinster Rugby, will also<br />

be at home against French opposition in RC Toulon.<br />

Whoever comes through the Gloucester v La Rochelle match will<br />

host either Scarlets or Sale Sharks, and the winners of the Bordeaux-<br />

Bègles <strong>vs</strong> <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> tie will have home advantage against either<br />

Racing 92 or Edinburgh.<br />

For the purposes of the Round of 16 draw, clubs from the same league<br />

were not drawn against one another, however, clubs from Pool A and<br />

Pool B were drawn against one another.<br />

As Racing 92, Leinster, <strong>Wasps</strong>, Bordeaux-Bègles and Munster had won<br />

both of their pool matches on the pitch – where results were not<br />

impacted by COVID-19 – all five clubs were guaranteed home fixtures<br />

in the Round of 16.<br />

The draw for the quarter-finals was open allowing for the possibility<br />

of matches between clubs from the same league, and a further draw<br />

for the semi-finals will take place following the quarter-finals.<br />

The exact dates of the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16 fixtures<br />

including venues, kick-off times and TV coverage, will be announced<br />

as soon as possible following consultation with the clubs and EPCR’s<br />

partner broadcasters.<br />

Today’s draws were conducted by Ben Harries, EPCR’s Head of Events<br />

and Operations, and by Mária Gyolcsos of EPCR’s Governance and<br />

Regulation department. The event scrutineer was Lausanne-based<br />

solicitor, Jean-Guillaume Amiguet.<br />

ROUND OF 16<br />

(Weekend of 2/3/4 April – first-named clubs at home)<br />

Munster Rugby v Toulouse<br />

14<br />

In what looks certain to be one of the crunch ties of the round,<br />

Munster Rugby will host Toulouse at Thomond Park and <strong>Wasps</strong> will be<br />

at home against ASM Clermont Auvergne in another mouthwatering<br />

clash.<br />

Gloucester Rugby will host La Rochelle at Kingsholm, Scarlets are at<br />

home against Sale Sharks while Edinburgh Rugby will be away against<br />

Racing 92 at Paris La Défense Arena.<br />

The draw for the quarter-final matches was also made and the<br />

winners of the Exeter <strong>vs</strong> Lyon tie will be at home against Leinster<br />

or RC Toulon, and either <strong>Wasps</strong> or Clermont will be at home against<br />

Munster or Toulouse.<br />

Gloucester Rugby v La Rochelle<br />

<strong>Wasps</strong> v ASM Clermont Auvergne<br />

Exeter Chiefs v Lyon<br />

Leinster Rugby v RC Toulon<br />

Bordeaux-Bègles v <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong><br />

Racing 92 v Edinburgh Rugby<br />

Scarlets v Sale Sharks<br />

15<br />

QUARTER-FINALS<br />

(Weekend of 9/10/11 April – first-named winners at home)<br />

QF1 Winner Exeter Chiefs/Lyon v Winner Leinster/RC Toulon<br />

QF2 Winner <strong>Wasps</strong>/Clermont v Winner Munster/Toulouse<br />

QF3 Winner Gloucester/La Rochelle v Winner Scarlets/Sale Sharks<br />

QF4 Winner Bordeaux-Bègles/<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> v Winner Racing 92/Edinburgh<br />

Key Dates<br />

Round of 16: 2/3/4 April<br />

Quarter-finals: 9/10/11 April<br />

Semi-finals: 30 April – 1/2 May<br />

Challenge Cup final: Marseille – Friday, 21 May<br />

Heineken Champions Cup final: Marseille – Saturday, 22 May<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


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18 19<br />

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league standings<br />

POS TEAM PL W D L DIFF PTS<br />

1 BRISTOL BEARS 12 9 1 2 102 46<br />

2 Exeter Chiefs 12 8 0 4 104 40<br />

3 Harlequins 12 7 1 4 77 38 *<br />

4 Sale Sharks 12 8 0 4 42 36<br />

5 Northampton Saints 12 6 0 6 -19 31 *<br />

6 London Irish 12 4 2 6 1 31 *<br />

7 Newcastle Falcons 12 6 0 6 -8 29 *<br />

8 Leicester Tigers 12 6 0 6 -7 28 *<br />

Proud sponsors of <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong><br />

9 <strong>Wasps</strong> 12 5 0 7 -42 26<br />

10 Bath Rugby 12 5 0 7 -113 24 *<br />

11 Gloucester Rugby 12 3 0 9 -45 19<br />

12 Worcester Warriors 12 3 0 9 -92 16 *<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


TACKLING<br />

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The past year has been filled with<br />

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BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


BRISTOL BEARS<br />

FIRST TEAM SQUAD<br />

MAX LAHIFF<br />

ALAPATI LEIUA<br />

STEVEN LUATUA<br />

MAX MALINS<br />

NIYI ADEOLOKUN<br />

JOHN AFOA<br />

JAKE ARMSTRONG<br />

DAVE ATTWOOD<br />

PETER MCCABE<br />

LUKE MORAHAN<br />

SIVA NAULAGO<br />

PIERS O’CONOR<br />

SAM BEDLOW<br />

BRYAN BYRNE<br />

WILL CAPON<br />

CHRIS COOK<br />

CHARLES PIUTAU<br />

SIALE PIUTAU<br />

CHARLIE POWELL<br />

24 25<br />

HENRY PURDY<br />

NAHUEL TETAZ CHAPARRO<br />

JAMES DUN<br />

MITCH EADIE<br />

BEN EARL<br />

SEMI RADRADRA<br />

HARRY RANDALL<br />

CALLUM SHEEDY<br />

KYLE SINCKLER<br />

TIFF EDEN<br />

TOBY FRICKER<br />

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CHRIS VUI<br />

JAKE WOOLMORE<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


BRISTOL BEARS<br />

ACADEMY SQUAD<br />

HARRY AscherL DEAGO BAILEY BEN BAMBER<br />

JACK BATES<br />

BLAKE BOYLAND<br />

ALEX GROVES<br />

FITZ HARDING<br />

IOAN LLOYD<br />

26 27<br />

BRISTOL BEARS<br />

COACHING STAFF<br />

GEORGE KLOSKA<br />

FREDDIE OWSLEY<br />

ANDREW TURNER<br />

TOM WILSTEAD<br />

PAT LAM<br />

CONOR MCPHILLIPS<br />

OMAR MOUNEIMNE<br />

JOHN MULDOON<br />

ALASDAIR DICKINSON<br />

SEAN MARSDEN<br />

DANNY GREWCOCK<br />

JORDAN CRANE<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


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28 29<br />

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30<br />

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up.”<br />

Nearly 16,000 young people have engaged in the HITZ <strong>programme</strong><br />

since it was created in 2008, and Ben Woolfson, one of Dawda’s<br />

tutors, believes the <strong>programme</strong>’s great strength is in the diversity<br />

of young people that it can help.<br />

“Our students come from many different backgrounds, some have<br />

a range of learning difficulties and additional needs but it’s been so<br />

impressive bringing all of these students together and seeing what<br />

they learn from each other.”<br />

“We’re trying to give these students confidence so they can go out<br />

and take up as many of life’s opportunities as possible,” he said.<br />

Wayne Morris, the Community & Corporate Social Responsibility<br />

Director at Premiership Rugby said: “If young people like Dawda<br />

want to reach for the stars then we will be there to help them every<br />

step of the way. Building the confidence of young people is a key<br />

objective of HITZ - It’s inspiring to see the way HITZ has helped this<br />

young man.<br />

“HITZ succeeds because it uses rugby’s core values of teamwork,<br />

respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship to support young<br />

people to make positive changes in their life.<br />

“Starting in a field in the London Borough of Hackney in 2008, HITZ<br />

has gone from strength-to-strength and helped participants turn<br />

their lives around through gaining qualifications and developing<br />

their personal, life and employability skills.”<br />

31<br />

Having had no plan for his future, Dawda Darboe is<br />

now reaching for the stars thanks to Premiership<br />

Rugby’s HITZ <strong>programme</strong> at <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong>.<br />

Delivered by all of Premiership Rugby’s stakeholder clubs, HITZ<br />

works with more than 2,000 14-23 year-olds across England<br />

every year and uses rugby’s core values to develop the personal<br />

skills, life skills and employability skills of young people not in<br />

education, employment or training (NEET).<br />

HITZ, which is supported by the CVC Foundation, Land Rover,<br />

Wooden Spoon and SCL Education, is one of Premiership<br />

Rugby’s flagship community <strong>programme</strong>s. It is delivered by all<br />

Premiership Rugby clubs and Dawda is a great example of the<br />

way it can have a hugely positive effect on the lives of young<br />

people.<br />

Originally from Gambia, Dawda moved to Knowle, <strong>Bristol</strong> at the<br />

age of five before being forced to return to his place of birth<br />

shortly after. In 2017, he returned to the UK after two and a half<br />

years away to live in Shirehampton with his sister. With no plan<br />

for the future, after being introduced to the HITZ <strong>programme</strong>,<br />

Dawda’s life has gone from strength to strength.<br />

Dawda is one of the inspirational young people that we will<br />

be turning the spotlight on across Round 12 of Gallagher<br />

Premiership Rugby (5-7 March) when all matches will be<br />

dedicated to our award-winning community <strong>programme</strong>s that<br />

benefit around 250,000 people annually.<br />

Thanks to HITZ, Dawda worked towards completing his<br />

Employability Level 1 course with the <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> branch of the<br />

<strong>programme</strong>, which also inspired him to join his local rugby club<br />

Avonmouth RFC, showing how far he had come professionally<br />

and personally.<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


32 33<br />

BRISTOL BEARS academy news<br />

Academy sign eight<br />

to 2021/22 scholarship<br />

<strong>programme</strong><br />

<strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> Academy is<br />

delighted to announce the<br />

addition of eight players to its<br />

scholarship <strong>programme</strong> for the<br />

2021/22 season.<br />

The scholarship <strong>programme</strong>, which<br />

launched in the summer of 2020, sees<br />

an additional group of players receive<br />

an opportunity to work with the club’s<br />

professional staff in order to maximise<br />

their potential to become full time<br />

professional rugby players.<br />

Tomas Gwilliam (Colstons School),<br />

George Taylor (<strong>Bristol</strong> Grammar School),<br />

Jamie Collier (SGS College), JJ Williams<br />

(Colstons), Matty Jones (SGS College),<br />

Dylan Power (Colstons), Macenzzie<br />

Duncan (SGS College) and Tom Sims<br />

(SGS College) will all join the <strong>programme</strong><br />

ahead of next season.<br />

Director of Rugby Pat Lam said: “The<br />

scholarship <strong>programme</strong> plays such an<br />

important role in our vision for bringing<br />

through homegrown players. I want<br />

to thank our partner schools and the<br />

combination clubs who have contributed<br />

to their development.<br />

“It’s important for these young men<br />

to be highly motivated and coachable<br />

in all areas so they can inspire their<br />

community on and off the field.”<br />

Senior Academy Manager, Gethin<br />

Watts said: “We saw the success of the<br />

scholarship <strong>programme</strong> in its inaugural<br />

year and the guys have really benefitted<br />

from being in the <strong>Bears</strong> environment and<br />

we are hoping that they can push on and<br />

push for places in the senior squad in the<br />

near future.<br />

“This is a critical stage in their<br />

development and provides a legitimate<br />

opportunity for a group that have been<br />

in our academy for a number of years<br />

to kick on and realise their dreams<br />

of representing the <strong>Bears</strong>. They now<br />

have the platform to hone their skills<br />

and develop in what promises to be an<br />

exciting year ahead.<br />

“As well as a daily training environment,<br />

we are proud to work with local<br />

employers – including our Academy<br />

principal partner Xledger - to ensure<br />

that the players are gaining applied<br />

experience in their chosen field of study<br />

and interest. This <strong>programme</strong> is unique<br />

that provides a truly holistic <strong>programme</strong><br />

that helps individuals develop.”<br />

To find out more about the scholarship<br />

<strong>programme</strong>, click here.<br />

Tomas Gwilliam<br />

A former back row forward now<br />

converted to hooker, Colston’s School’s<br />

Gwilliam is a powerful ball carrier and fits<br />

perfectly to the <strong>Bears</strong> style.<br />

George Taylor<br />

An athletic second row forward, Taylor –<br />

who hails from <strong>Bristol</strong> Grammar School<br />

and Clifton RFC - is a member of the<br />

current England U18s squad.<br />

Jamie Collier<br />

Captain of the <strong>Bears</strong> Academy U18s while<br />

still an U17, SGS College’s Collier is a<br />

dynamic openside flanker.<br />

JJ Williams<br />

A pacey scrum half, Colston’s School and<br />

Thornbury RFC’s Williams has spent time<br />

training with the <strong>Bears</strong> senior squad in<br />

2021.<br />

Matty Jones<br />

A versatile back capable of playing at full<br />

back and centre, England U17s, Clifton<br />

RFC and SGS College representative<br />

Jones is an elusive runner and strong<br />

distributor.<br />

Dylan Power<br />

A long standing member of the Academy<br />

<strong>programme</strong>, Colston’s School, Dings<br />

Crusaders and England U18s inside<br />

centre, Power possesses good decision<br />

making and leadership skills.<br />

Macenzzie Duncan<br />

A dynamic ball carrying number eight,<br />

SGS College and Clevedon RFC’s Duncan<br />

is a dangerous runner and physical<br />

defender.<br />

Tom Sims<br />

SGS College loosehead prop Sims is<br />

a powerful ball carrier and strong<br />

scrummager. He has been with the<br />

Academy since 2016.<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


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BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


An unmissable<br />

lineup on BT Sport<br />

Bear Country<br />

column<br />

It’s been quite a month since my last<br />

column.<br />

After the infamous victory over Bath, we’ve<br />

been going through what may be the most<br />

important learning curve in the Lam era so<br />

far.<br />

like we do you’re bound to drop the ball<br />

occasionally), it’s been a really positive<br />

period for the club.<br />

Many of our squad players and academy<br />

graduates have been getting the game<br />

time they’ve been craving. They’re learning<br />

the importance and intricacies of the<br />

<strong>Bears</strong> systems, they’ve learnt plenty about<br />

themselves and their skills, and Pat and<br />

the coaches undoubtedly have learnt<br />

invaluable lessons about where we are as a<br />

team.<br />

36 37<br />

As fans, we’ve been blessed with rapid<br />

success over the past few seasons. Who<br />

could honestly say FIVE years ago that<br />

they saw us attracting the best players<br />

in World Rugby, with a state-of-the-art<br />

training facility and stadium and winning<br />

the European Challenge Cup? Not even<br />

Mystic Meg saw that one coming.<br />

But since the second half of the Bath game,<br />

we’ve seen our high standards slip slightly.<br />

Should we be shocked at this though?<br />

Probably not.<br />

When you look at our current unavailable<br />

list – now well over 15 men, most of which<br />

are matchday regulars – it’s no surprise<br />

our performances haven’t been the same<br />

quality we’re used to.<br />

These are all top-quality players missing,<br />

and those who often drive the standards<br />

in our team. As Pat himself has pointed<br />

out, we’re into third or fourth in the depth<br />

chart in most positions. Not many teams<br />

go through that in a season.<br />

And yet, despite some shaky second<br />

halves, a few system errors and some<br />

dodgy handling (hey, when you play<br />

That’s the kind of growth that makes great<br />

sides into champions.<br />

And let’s be real, even with our dip in<br />

form and some forgettable performances,<br />

the past five games have brought three<br />

wins, one draw and a loss. That’s pretty<br />

incredible for a side not playing their<br />

best rugby, and missing a silly number of<br />

players.<br />

Oh, and we’re six points clear at the top of<br />

the table. Yeah, not bad.<br />

<strong>Wasps</strong> are up next – a side we’ve<br />

notoriously struggled against. It’ll be a<br />

tough test as it always is, but with our form<br />

and confidence beginning to build once<br />

more, and with potentially the return of<br />

a few of familiar faces from the side line,<br />

maybe this time we’ll avoid getting stung.<br />

Up the <strong>Bears</strong>.<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21 BRISTOL BEARS VS WASPS | 2020/21


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