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Matchday programme: Bristol Bears vs Harlequins

In this week's digital programme, get the pre-match thoughts of Pat Lam and celebrate Callum Sheedy's road to 100 competitive appearances for the club. Find out more about Fitz Harding's first senior contract and extensions for Bryan Byrne and Niyi Adeolokun. We've also got the latest Toby Fricker column 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 celebrate Callum Sheedy's road to 100 competitive appearances for the club. Find out more about Fitz Harding's first senior contract and extensions for Bryan Byrne and Niyi Adeolokun.

We've also got the latest Toby Fricker column and all the goings on from the award-winning Community Foundation.

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ASHTON GATE | SATURDAY march 27th 2021 | 2PM KO


2<br />

Crafted just down the<br />

road from ashton<br />

gate stadium<br />

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

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


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 />

ASHTON GATE | SATURDAY march 27th 2021 | 2PM KO<br />

pat lam’s notes<br />

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS<br />

callum sheedy<br />

LEAGUE STANDINGS<br />

PLAYER PROFILES<br />

PLAYER SPONSORS<br />

break the cycle<br />

fitz harding<br />

toby fRicker column<br />

TEAM NEWS<br />

Editor: Will Carpenter<br />

Design: Charlie Burman / Maciej Stanke<br />

Photography: JMPUK<br />

3<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


PROUD<br />

4<br />

SPONSORS<br />

OF TODAY’S<br />

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FOR MORE INFORMATION<br />

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

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www.sawebberltd.co.uk


PAT LAM’S NOTES<br />

Pat Lam says his table-topping <strong>Bears</strong> will be boosted<br />

by the return of a host of internationals ahead of<br />

Saturday’s mouth-watering clash with high-flying<br />

<strong>Harlequins</strong> at Ashton Gate (2pm KO, live on BT Sport<br />

1 HD).<br />

Callum Sheedy, Kyle Sinckler, Ben Earl and Semi Radradra are all<br />

set for a return to <strong>Bears</strong> action against a Quins side who now sit<br />

third in the Gallagher Premiership, while Max Malins is ruled out<br />

with a thigh injury sustained on England duty.<br />

The Director of Rugby, who is predicting a ‘cracker’ of a clash,<br />

says his international stars are ‘raring to go’ this weekend.<br />

“The international boys all got hold of me not long after their<br />

games and they were all dead keen to get back ASAP, which was<br />

great,” he said.<br />

“They came in, we all acknowledged them and there was some<br />

good banter between Sheedy and the England boys. We had a<br />

good day yesterday – we did a lot of clarity work and a lot of<br />

work embedding them back into the <strong>Bears</strong> way.<br />

“These boys haven’t been around for a long time – the last time<br />

Max (Malins) was involved with us was Boxing Day, Ben (Earl) has<br />

only had 90 minutes since our game against Exeter on January<br />

9th, and Kyle (Sinckler) has had a lot of game time, but they’ve<br />

been away a long time, so the important thing yesterday was<br />

going through the plays to get them back into it.<br />

“Semi (Radradra) has been training and is looking good for<br />

selection this week. He’s buzzing, he’s been pushing hard, he had<br />

a good session yesterday and he’s got another one tomorrow.<br />

Real credit to our medical and S&C team, who have been class.<br />

Same with Sean Marsden, Jordan Crane and Omar Mouneimne<br />

– they’ve done a lot of work with him on the rugby side, just to<br />

make sure that, although Semi wants to get back, he also has a<br />

lot of pride, so he wants to get back and perform, so he’s raring<br />

to go.”<br />

Lam praised his side for delivering under pressure at Franklin’s<br />

Gardens in round 14, as late tries from Luke Morahan and Andy<br />

Uren saw the <strong>Bears</strong> snatch all five points – and the Samoan is<br />

expecting another stern test this weekend, with Quins heading<br />

into the game off the back of a nine-try demolition of Gloucester.<br />

“I’m pleased with the result there at the end and the boys came<br />

home strong. I mentioned it after the game, but going through<br />

the review this week, we highlighted why we were in that<br />

situation. We realise our discipline was poor, we didn’t control a<br />

lot in our attack, we didn’t engage a lot, but we scored two good<br />

tries. We talked about conceding that try before half time, why<br />

that happened, and a couple of things weren’t done the way they<br />

should be done. Then, what came through very clearly, was how<br />

in that last 10 minutes, it was all guys doing their jobs and we<br />

came home strong.<br />

“It’s recognising the fact that the boys know what to do if<br />

we find ourselves in that situation, so if they do it from the<br />

beginning, we won’t find ourselves in that situation too much<br />

anyway.”<br />

“This weekend, we’ve got to be on our game. They (Quins)<br />

scored nine tries last week and they’re flying, they’ve got a lot<br />

of confidence, their big players - Danny Care, Mike Brown – the<br />

experienced players and then obviously the spine, with Alex<br />

Dombrandt and Marcus Smith, are going really well. So, we know<br />

what we’re up against and it will be a cracker of a game and I<br />

enjoy the challenge that we face - and it is a big challenge.”<br />

PAT LAM<br />

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY<br />

5<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


PRINCIPAL PARTNER<br />

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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


13<br />

bryan byrne & niyi adeolokun<br />

contract extensions<br />

Bryan Byrne and Niyi Adeolokun have signed<br />

contract extensions with the <strong>Bears</strong>.<br />

Hooker Byrne has been a formidable presence in the <strong>Bears</strong> front<br />

row during the 2020/21 campaign, with seven tries to his name.<br />

Director of Rugby Pat Lam said: “It was great to give Bryan an<br />

opportunity at <strong>Bristol</strong> following his time in Leinster. He has proven<br />

his ability week in, week out so we’re delighted to extend his<br />

contract.<br />

“Bryan has fitted in perfectly into the team culture and he’s a big<br />

part of what we do here.”<br />

Byrne added: “<strong>Bristol</strong> a great place to be – it’s an awesome city<br />

and a club that is going places. We’ve got a good group of lads<br />

here and it’s clear to see how everybody is enjoying their rugby<br />

and the performances that the <strong>Bears</strong> are putting in.<br />

“The key for us now is to kick on and achieve our team goals.<br />

We’re under no illusions about the challenges to come but we are<br />

relishing every minute of it so far.”<br />

Pacey wing Adeolokun signs a new one-year deal at Ashton Gate<br />

having initially joined the <strong>Bears</strong> on a short-term contract in the<br />

summer of 2020. The former Connacht flyer has scored twice in<br />

the Gallagher Premiership this season.<br />

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “When I gave Niyi his first<br />

professional contract at Connacht, his coachability and desire to<br />

improve, on and off the field, was superb.<br />

“Since he has been with <strong>Bristol</strong>, it’s been great to see him continue<br />

that growth. Once again, Niyi has fitted in extremely well to the<br />

team where he is well-liked and a big part of our <strong>Bears</strong> culture.”<br />

The 30 year-old touched down in the Boxing Day victory to<br />

<strong>Harlequins</strong> and went over again in style last Friday versus Wasps.<br />

Adeolokun added: “It’s been a fantastic first year with the club and<br />

I’m delighted to have been able to contribute to the <strong>Bears</strong>’ growth.<br />

“Personally, my game is improving under Pat Lam and the<br />

coaching staff and I look forward to helping the team achieve our<br />

goals going forward.”<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


CALLUM<br />

SHEEDY<br />

ROAD TO 1O0<br />

Play-off glory to the Principality:<br />

Sheedy’s road to 100<br />

Academy graduate and Wales international fly half, Callum Sheedy<br />

is set for his 100th competitive appearance for the club against<br />

<strong>Harlequins</strong> on Saturday - here’s his <strong>Bristol</strong> journey so far.<br />

Starting at Scottish<br />

Sheedy’s competitive <strong>Bristol</strong> debut came during a 22-18 British &<br />

Irish Cup victory over London Scottish at the Richmond Athletic<br />

Ground in October 2014. His full first team debut came during that<br />

pre-season camapign against Newport Gwent Dragons in August<br />

2014.<br />

The Saviour<br />

Thrust into the limelight during the club’s 2015/16 Championship<br />

play-off campaign, Sheedy was named man of the match in both<br />

legs of the final, despite making his first league start for the club<br />

until the final day of the regular season.<br />

The 20-year-old kicked 14 points in the first leg and 22 in the<br />

second, as <strong>Bristol</strong> returned to the Premiership for the first time<br />

since 2009 with an aggregate victory over Doncaster Knights.<br />

14<br />

Magic at The Rec<br />

Sheedy provided one of the highlights of the season as the <strong>Bears</strong><br />

recorded a first victory at The Recreation Ground since 2006.<br />

The fly half’s step, break and pinpoint cross-field kick located<br />

Alapati Leiua in space for a wonder try and one that will long in<br />

the memory for <strong>Bears</strong> supporters.<br />

European glory<br />

On a balmy night in Aix-en-Provence, Sheedy kicked 22 points as<br />

the <strong>Bears</strong> won their first European trophy with a 32-19 victory over<br />

Toulon in an enthralling Challenge Cup final at Stade Maurice-<br />

David. Sheedy kicked six penalties and two conversions on an<br />

historic night for the club.<br />

Enter the Dragon<br />

After a season of standout performances for the <strong>Bears</strong>, Sheedy<br />

caught the eye of Wales head coach, Wayne Pivac who called the<br />

number 10 up to his squad for the Autumn Nations Cup in October<br />

2020.<br />

Sheedy made his international debut against ireland in Dublin,<br />

before also being selected in Wales’ Six Nations squad.<br />

Sheedy’s Wales arrival<br />

Sheedy announced himself on the international stage with a<br />

decisive intervention against England in Cardiff. The second-half<br />

replacement kicked three late penalties as Wales ran out 40-24<br />

winners at the Principality Stadium.<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


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19<br />

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP<br />

league standings<br />

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

1 BRISTOL BEARS 14 11 1 2 87 56<br />

2 Exeter Chiefs 14 10 0 4 87 49<br />

3 <strong>Harlequins</strong> 14 8 1 5 62 44<br />

4 Sale Sharks 14 9 0 5 0 42<br />

5 Northampton Saints 14 7 0 7 22 36<br />

6 London Irish 14 5 2 7 4 35<br />

7 Bath Rugby 14 7 0 7 -4 34<br />

8 Leicester Tigers 14 7 0 7 6 33<br />

9 Newcastle Falcons 14 6 0 8 -35 30<br />

10 Wasps 14 6 0 8 -92 30<br />

11 Gloucester Rugby 14 3 0 11 -83 20<br />

12 Worcester Warriors 14 3 0 11 -54 18<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


TACKLING<br />

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24<br />

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26<br />

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BRISTOL BEARS<br />

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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


eak the cycle<br />

back for 2021<br />

Break the Cycle, <strong>Bristol</strong> Sport Foundation and <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> Community<br />

Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, is back for 2021.<br />

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the event will, again, be held virtually. To get involved, get on your<br />

bike throughout May and June to raise money to fund the important work of our foundations.<br />

Break the Cycle 2021 will culminate in a celebration event at Ashton Gate Stadium on Sunday, June<br />

27th 2021 - live streamed to watch at home and, Covid permitting, there may be a chance for you to<br />

get involved!<br />

All of the money raised at this event goes towards the incredible, life-changing work of <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong><br />

Community Foundation.<br />

30<br />

To get involved in Break the Cycle 2021 simply follow these<br />

five steps…<br />

1. Choose your challenge - whether you’ve just started to cycle or are a seasoned cyclist set<br />

yourself a challenge<br />

2. Get cycling - your favourite local route, at home on a static bike, out with your family... whenever<br />

you like, it’s up to you!<br />

3. Donate £5 - to our Break The Cycle fundraising campaign to raise vital funds for the <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong><br />

Community Foundation<br />

4. Tune in - join us for the live streamed event on Sunday, June 27th to celebrate your involvement<br />

5. And relax - kick back, put your feet up and think about all the life changing work you have<br />

supported.<br />

Last year’s virtual Break the Cycle event was a huge success with over 250 riders taking part,<br />

support from all of our professional clubs and over £15,000 raised and we would love to have a go<br />

at breaking that figure this year to support the life changing work that our foundations carry out<br />

every day.<br />

We would love you to submit your videos, images and anything else to us throughout the Break the<br />

Cycle campaign, please submit all content using the BSF app or by tagging us on our social media<br />

channels using #BreakTheCycle2021.<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


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

31


BRISTOL BEARS academy news<br />

Highly rated<br />

Fitz Harding pens<br />

senior contract<br />

32<br />

Highly rated Academy back-rower Fitz<br />

Harding has signed a new long-term<br />

contract with <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong>, the club is<br />

delighted to announce.<br />

The 21-year-old, who joined the club’s<br />

Academy from the University of Durham<br />

last summer, pens his first senior deal<br />

with the club.<br />

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “I’m<br />

really pleased Fitz has committed his<br />

future to the <strong>Bears</strong> as we’re very excited<br />

by what he will be able to achieve for<br />

himself and the team.<br />

He has a fantastic attitude, is extremely<br />

coachable and his actions have already<br />

earnt the respect from his teammates.<br />

“Fitz is a great example of the number<br />

of different pathways into professional<br />

rugby, having graduated through the<br />

BUCS system, and also highlights the<br />

detailed recruitment strategy of the<br />

club.”<br />

Senior Academy Manager Gethin Watts<br />

said: “On the back of the recent Senior<br />

Academy announcements, Fitz’s new<br />

contract underlines once again the<br />

alignment and long term planning across<br />

the organisation.<br />

“<strong>Bears</strong> is a club that gives young<br />

players opportunities and what has<br />

been pleasing is how Fitz has taken<br />

his chance with the first team. He’s an<br />

excellent character and an example to<br />

the Academy of what can be achieved<br />

through hard work and diligence.”<br />

Harding added: “It’s been a fantastic<br />

learning curve at <strong>Bristol</strong> <strong>Bears</strong> so far. The<br />

guys have been incredibly welcoming and<br />

my game is developing really well under<br />

Pat Lam and the coaching staff.<br />

“We have everything here at <strong>Bristol</strong> to<br />

succeed; it’s a fantastic training facility<br />

with world class staff, so I’m excited to<br />

keep pushing hard for first team rugby.”<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


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

33


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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


TOBY FRICKER<br />

column<br />

36<br />

The season is flying by, so<br />

don’t blink or you will miss it.<br />

The second half of the season<br />

is already underway and the<br />

race for top four and European<br />

qualification is hotting up. Games<br />

are getting more competitive and<br />

everyone has to play at their very<br />

best. Ultimately, the second half of<br />

the season is always the hardest.<br />

The coaches often remind us that ‘heroes<br />

are made in the last 10 minutes’ - this is<br />

to say that with 10 minutes to go on the<br />

clock, each player on the field can work<br />

within system and help the team to win<br />

the game. Not lose focus or think that the<br />

game is won, but to continue playing until<br />

the final whistle. This has been crucial<br />

over the last couple of weeks.<br />

Three wins over Wasps, Worcester and<br />

Saints paints a pretty picture as we begin<br />

the second stint of the Premiership<br />

season. However, these encounters have<br />

been tough and have tested all aspects<br />

of our game. Obviously, we are still<br />

working towards that complete 80-minute<br />

performance, but our character and hard<br />

work has prevailed, especially in the final<br />

‘10 minutes of these games.’ This has<br />

allowed us to not only win in these games,<br />

but also secure crucial bonus points.<br />

The last couple of weeks have also<br />

highlighted one of our biggest strengths:<br />

the depth of our squad. Boys have stepped<br />

up across the board, with the likes of Tiff<br />

Eden playing a major part in our first win<br />

over Wasps in 15 years. Fitz Harding has<br />

also shown his potential, making a huge<br />

impact off the bench against Saints when<br />

he linked up with Andy Uren to clinch<br />

a victory in the final minutes. Having<br />

a squad of players that are capable of<br />

winning games at the highest level will be<br />

hugely significant as we move closer to<br />

the latter end of the season.<br />

This week we face <strong>Harlequins</strong>, a team who<br />

have recently shown very good form. They<br />

attack from anywhere and will capitalise<br />

on our mistakes if given the opportunity.<br />

We know that this week more than ever,<br />

consistency and focus throughout the<br />

80- minutes will be massive. Moreover,<br />

what better an incentive than leaving the<br />

Premiership on the back of another win as<br />

we head into to finals rugby in Europe.<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


An unmissable<br />

lineup on BT Sport<br />

37<br />

BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


TODAY’S TEAMS<br />

SATURDAY, MAR 27TH 2PM KO<br />

Luke Morahan<br />

Siva Naulago<br />

Semi Radradra<br />

Piers O’Conor<br />

Henry Purdy<br />

Callum Sheedy<br />

Andy Uren<br />

15<br />

14<br />

13<br />

12<br />

11<br />

10<br />

9<br />

15<br />

14<br />

13<br />

12<br />

11<br />

10<br />

9<br />

Mike Brown<br />

Tyrone Green<br />

Joe Marchant<br />

Andre Esterhuizen<br />

Cadan Murley<br />

Marcus Smith<br />

Danny Care<br />

38<br />

Jake Woolmore<br />

Bryan Byrne<br />

John Afoa<br />

Dave Attwood<br />

Chris Vui<br />

Steven Luatua (c)<br />

Dan Thomas<br />

Ben Earl<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5<br />

6<br />

7<br />

8<br />

1<br />

2<br />

3<br />

4<br />

5<br />

6<br />

7<br />

8<br />

Joe Marler<br />

Scott Baldwin<br />

Wilco Louw<br />

Matt Symons<br />

Dino Lamb<br />

James Chisholm<br />

Will Evans<br />

Alex Dombrandt (c)<br />

Will Capon<br />

Max Lahiff<br />

Kyle Sinckler<br />

Joe Joyce<br />

Fitz Harding<br />

Tom Kessell<br />

Sam Bedlow<br />

Alapati Leiua<br />

16<br />

17<br />

18<br />

19<br />

20<br />

21<br />

22<br />

23<br />

16<br />

17<br />

18<br />

19<br />

20<br />

21<br />

22<br />

23<br />

Joe Gray<br />

Jordan Els<br />

Simon Kerrod<br />

Glen Young<br />

Tom Lawday<br />

Martin Landajo<br />

Brett Herron<br />

Luke Northmore<br />

MATCH OFFICIALS<br />

Referee Hamish Smales (5th Premiership game)<br />

Assistant Referees Jack Makepeace & Paul Dix<br />

TMO David Rose<br />

Citing Officer Paul Hull


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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21


40<br />

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BRISTOL BEARS VS HARLEQUINS | 2020/21

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