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Eight players to leave Bristol and a promising hooker will transition into a prop

By Liam Heagney
(Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)

Gallagher Premiership table-toppers Bristol have confirmed the names of the six full-time players and two triallists that will be leaving at the end of this season. The Bears farewelled the leavers following their captain’s run on Friday, but the planned farewell in front of fans on Saturday was denied as the final match of the regulation season against London Irish before the playoffs was cancelled. 

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It emerged last Monday that the long-serving Siale Piutau, the Tongan legend who reflected on his impressive career in a recent in-depth RugbyPass interview, will exit after four-and-a-half seasons at the club. 

Loanees Ben Earl and Max Malins will return to parent club Saracens. Peter McCabe will also depart, as will Cornish Pirates signing Tom Kessell and Argentinian international Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro, who will join Italian side Benetton. 

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Meanwhile, triallists Stephen Kerins (Ealing Trailfinders) and Tagdh McElroy, the ex-Saracens academy hooker, will also exit in the summer. On the staff, Alasdair Dickinson leaves for Glasgow Warriors with John Afoa taking on a dual transition role as scrum coach and first-team player.

Bristol boss Pat Lam told the Premiership club’s website: “We are grateful to all of our departing players and staff for their contribution to the Bears. They can always look back fondly and know that they contributed to our journey and the team growth.

“All of these guys have played their part and for somebody like Siale, who is a foundation Bear, he leaves in the knowledge that he has helped shaped the Bears culture for years to come. It’s been a real pleasure to have Max and Ben involved with the Bears. It’s a credit to them as people and players that they have fully invested their time and energy to us to be successful. We’d like to thank Mark (McCall) and Saracens for making it possible.

“When I arrived, one of the clear objectives was to change the make-up of the squad – younger demographic, more English and academy players and quality depth in every position. We are continuing to strive towards that and I’m delighted that the large majority of the group will be in at least their fourth and fifth season with myself and the management team.”

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As regards new signings for next season, Tom Whiteley, Sam Jeffries and Antoine Frisch are new additions. Scrum-half Whiteley arrives from Saracens, while centre Frisch joins from Rouen in the French Pro D2. Jeffries returns to the playing squad after two years away from the game. Meanwhile, homegrown front-rower George Kloska, the 21-year-old who made his first Premiership start on New Year’s Day against Newcastle, will be transitioning from a hooker into a loosehead prop.

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Trevor 31 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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