Ex-England U20 back-row Kofi Cripps leaves Bristol to reunite with former coach

Champ Rugby champions Worcester Warriors have signed former England U20 back-row Kofi Cripps from Bristol Bears ahead of the new season.

The 23-year-old spent the past year-and-a-half at Ashton Gate, making his Gallagher PREM debut against Newcastle Red Bulls in April, but has had limited game time in the West Country.

The step down to England’s second division will see Cripps reunite with Warriors boss Matt Everard, whom he was coached by earlier in his career at Wasps.

Worcester will get their title defence underway in just under a month, hosting Bedford Blues on Saturday, September 19, in what will be a repeat of last season’s final.

Cripps has become the second back-row exit from Bristol this summer, with Argentina international Santiago Grondona also leaving the club to join Pau.

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“I’m really excited to be joining Worcester and starting a new chapter in my career,” Cripps said.

“From everything I’ve seen and heard, there’s a lot of ambition around the club and it feels like a really exciting time to be coming in.”

“Having worked with Matt before was a big part of the decision for me. I know the standards he sets and I feel he understands me as a player and knows how to get the best out of my game.

“I’m looking forward to challenging myself, continuing to develop and bringing everything I can to the team.”

“I’m excited to get started and hopefully create some great moments at Sixways with the supporters behind us.”

Everard added: “We are extremely excited to welcome Kofi to the club.

“He’s really impressed everyone at the club across the last few weeks. How he is as a person off the field and his efforts on the field.

“Kofi brings experience at the top level and his skill and talent in both attack and defence is really exciting.”