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Four centurions part of 17-strong list of Bristol Bears exits

By Josh Raisey
Callum Sheedy (c) of Bristol Bears during the Investec Champions Cup match between Bristol Bears and Lyon at Ashton Gate on December 09, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Bristol Bears have confirmed a list of 17 players that are set to leave the club at the end of the current season.

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Among the list, there are four players that have made over 100 appearances for the club- Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy, Dan Thomas, Piers O’Conor and Ed Holmes.

Sheedy and O’Conor already have their next clubs lined up, with both heading to the United Rugby Championship to join Cardiff and Connacht, respectively. Toulon-bound England prop Kyle Sinckler and Edinburgh-bound Scotland No8 Magnus Bradbury are the other members of the list who have announced their future moves.

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Charlie Powell, Jono Benz-Salomon, Fred Davies, Jay Tyack, Harry Ascherl, Oscar Lennon and Aristot Benz-Salomon are the seven remaining senior players that are set to leave Ashton Gate.

Four academy players, Macenzzie Duncan, Charlie Rice, Tom Sims and Matty Jones have also had their departures confirmed by the Bears.

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“This time of the year is always difficult as we say farewell to some great people who have contributed significantly to the club, on and off the field, throughout their time with the Bears.

“We thank them for their hard work and commitment to our vision, and they can all be very proud of their efforts and achievements here. Once a Bear, always a Bear.

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“As we have done for the last 7 seasons, we will be honouring these players in-house this week as a team and there will be an opportunity for supporters to show their appreciation at Ashton Gate following the conclusion of the Saracens game on Saturday, May 11th.”

The departing players still have a chance to end their Bristol careers on a high with the club sat in fourth place in the Gallagher Premiership table, with two rounds remaining.

Bristol’s play-off hopes looked slim just a matter of weeks ago, but a six-match winning streak since January in the league has seen them hurtle up the ladder.

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Jon 1 days ago
Why Sam Cane's path to retirement is perfect for him and the All Blacks

> It would be best described as an elegant solution to what was potentially going to be a significant problem for new All Blacks coach Scott Robertson. It is a problem the mad population of New Zealand will have to cope with more and more as All Blacks are able to continue their careers in NZ post RWCs. It will not be a problem for coaches, who are always going to start a campaign with the captain for the next WC in mind. > Cane, despite his warrior spirit, his undoubted commitment to every team he played for and unforgettable heroics against Ireland in last year’s World Cup quarter-final, was never unanimously admired or respected within New Zealand while he was in the role. Neither was McCaw, he was considered far too passive a captain and then out of form until his last world cup where everyone opinions changed, just like they would have if Cane had won the WC. > It was never easy to see where Cane, or even if, he would fit into Robertson’s squad given the new coach will want to be building a new-look team with 2027 in mind. > Cane will win his selections on merit and come the end of the year, he’ll sign off, he hopes, with 100 caps and maybe even, at last, universal public appreciation for what was a special career. No, he won’t. Those returning from Japan have already earned the right to retain their jersey, it’s in their contract. Cane would have been playing against England if he was ready, and found it very hard to keep his place. Perform, and they keep it however. Very easy to see where Cane could have fit, very hard to see how he could have accomplished it choosing this year as his sabbatical instead of 2025, and that’s how it played out (though I assume we now know what when NZR said they were allowing him to move his sabbatical forward and return to NZ next year, they had actually agreed to simply select him for the All Blacks from overseas, without any chance he was going to play in NZ again). With a mammoth season of 15 All Black games they might as well get some value out of his years contract, though even with him being of equal character to Richie, I don’t think they should guarantee him his 100 caps. That’s not what the All Blacks should be about. He absolutely has to play winning football.

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