George Smith among 11 players leaving Bristol Bears
Bristol Bears have axed 11 players as they begin preparations for their second consecutive season in the Gallagher Premiership.
They’ve also given their backroom team a shake-up with two members departing too.
Veteran backrow George Smith is leaving at the conclusion of his one-year stint after 23 appearances with the club It’s unknown what the 38-year-old former Australian international’s next move will be.
Samoan international Jack Lam is also on his way out. The former Hurricanes player joined the club five years ago and has made 79 appearances. He was named Championship Player of the Year award in 2016 during his time at the club.
Another Samoan international to leave is Tusi Pisi. The former Toulon, Hurricanes and Crusaders club man, who will turn 37 in June, made 50 appearances over three seasons with Bristol and co-captained the side when they were promoted.
Jack Tovey’s move to Ealing Trailfinders had already been confirmed, he’s made 192 appearances, the 6th most for the club since leagues were introduced in 1987. Nick Haining switch to Edinburgh had also been announced earlier this season.
First team quintet Nick Fenton-Wells (50 apps), Joe Latta (18 apps), Sione Faletau (11 apps), Reiss Cullen (10 apps) and Jordan Lay (5 apps) also depart, while academy lock Ehize Ehizode has been released.
? #BristolBears would like to thank the 1?1? players who will be departing at the end of the campaign.
Thank you for putting your bodies on the line for our great club ? pic.twitter.com/GQip8ItdEC
— Bristol Bears ? (@BristolBears) April 30, 2019
Head coach Pat Lam is also making changes to his backroom team, former Wales international Gareth Delve is leaving his role as team manager and the Bears are also looking for a new head of Strength and Conditioning with Paul Bunce exiting.
“It’s the nature of professional sport that, at the end of the season, we see some players move on to new opportunities,” Pat Lam said.
“As always, we are grateful to these men who have put their bodies on their line for the club and committed to the Bristol Bears vision.
“We wish them and their families well for the next chapter and, like we do each season, will recognise the guys with a post-match presentation on the pitch after the Sale Sharks game and give our supporters an opportunity to thank them for their efforts.”
DEPARTING PLAYERS:
Jack Tovey – 192 appearances, 37 tries
Jack Lam – 79 appearances, 22 tries
Nick Fenton-Wells – 50 appearances, 6 tries
Tusi Pisi – 50 appearances, 6 tries
Nick Haining – 33 appearances, 8 tries
George Smith – 23 appearances
Joe Latta – 18 appearances, 2 tries
Sione Faletau – 11 appearances
Reiss Cullen – 10 appearances, 2 tries
Ehize Ehizode – 6 appearances
Jordan Lay – 5 appearances
Comments on RugbyPass
Incorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
1 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
107 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
4 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to commentsAT THE END OF THE DAY THE TEAM WITH 4 WORLD CUPS WILL ALWAYS GET TO TELL THE OTHER NATION TO SUCK MY BALLS. THIS IS A SCIENTIFIC AND IRREFUTABLE FACT.
107 Go to commentsWish him and his family the best in his retirement from International rugby and into the future.
1 Go to commentsSelf proclaimed expert/pundit Andy Goode and his very personal views on referees…Why recalling them in such an article as if he were an undisputed authority on the subject ? Only because fellow writer ?
1 Go to commentsLate growth spurts are a common problem over here. I’m well over 30, and I just started having a growth spurt too. Could be a world class prop soon.
1 Go to commentsas much as the challenge cup is a bit of a nothing competition, winning it would still mean something. last year it was won by toulon, who are now something like 4th in the top 14? The year before it was won by Lyon a season before they finished 3rd in the league. The year before that the final was contested by Montpellier and Leicester - 12 months before they both became domestic champions. That should give Gloucester fans some hope.
1 Go to commentsgreat article - although I can’t help wonder whether the more relevant debate over coming years will be between Ford and Fin Smith!
10 Go to commentsMaking Scott Barrett captain might be a masterstroke….will calm him down & stop brain fades and also take pressure off Ardie, so he can just play his natural monster game. Lets see how that all pans out🧐
8 Go to commentsI’m surprised Scotland are planning to rest key players this summer - I don’t think any other tier 1 nation will be doing the same?
3 Go to commentsGreat analysis Brett and what a shame that RA haven't spent more on the tight five instead. BTW I see the latest 8-9 Combo has dropped, looking forward to that. It's incredible the amount of damage that Hamish and Eddie's egos did in such a short space of time. From memory Eddie drove the initial drive to poach league stars way back in the 00s, with community rugby paying the price in reduced funding. Australia went from 15% of its income being spent on community rugby in 2002 to 2.4% in 2015, sheer madness and look where they are now. Hamish reminds me of Scrappy Doo. Always mouthing off, spoiling for a fight with bigger dogs who'd eat him alive. Sadly RA didn't have a Scooby Doo to bail him out.
12 Go to comments*_“I love watching bone-shuddering tackles, brutal clear-outs, monster ball carries, and crushingly intense scrummaging. I love it. These things make my heart rate spike. These aren’t the only things I love about rugby, but I feel no need to pretend I don’t love them, or to apologise for loving them just in case someone thinks I shouldn’t.”_* beautifully put Flats🔥
3 Go to comments“Hidden comments” all over the place😂 Turlough’s been a busy little boy ey🤭
107 Go to commentsit’ll all be released in an autobiography a few years from now….. “Razor shafted me” blah blah blah. thinking of making Scott Barrett captain might be a good move. Could calm down his brain fades & make him an even better player for them
4 Go to commentsSadly he played far too many games too young. England and France really do need to look after their younger players better.
1 Go to commentsHaving finally been able to watch the first Chasing the Sun (thanks RugbyPass!) - because I refuse to pay DSTV's extortionate monthly fee in SA - after four years, it was amazing to see Mapimpi's story as well as seeing my personal hero, Rassie, breaking down when telling it. There _is_ hope for the country, but only once we've got rid of the crooked and incompetent ANC (and others) who have set out to destroy it. Viva Rassie, viva Kolisi viva rugby!
1 Go to commentsWhether true or not, all the best to you Sam Cane. A warrior of a player and a loyal servant to the ABs! Go get you some yen and have some fun.
4 Go to comments