James Dun completes mid-season Gallagher PREM club swap

Harlequins have confirmed the mid-season capture of lock James Dun from Gallagher PREM rivals Bristol Bears, who flagged his exit on social media last week.

The 26-year-old will link up with the London club ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The 126kg, 6ft 6in lock departs Ashton Gate after coming through the Bristol pathway and making 57 senior appearances, with eighth placed Quins looking to add some West Country bulk to their forward pack.

The Bath-born forward had a standout loan spell with Jersey Reds during their 2022/23 Championship-winning season before breaking through the ranks for the Bears in 2023/24, establishing himself as a regular squad option for Pat Lam in their pack.

“Joining Harlequins is an exciting step in my career. It’s a Club that I’ve always had a lot of respect for, with an exciting brand of rugby that I can’t wait to be part of,” said Dun.

“The Club has such a strong sense of identity, a brilliant culture, and a great connection with its fans. I’m really looking forward to being part of the environment, learning from the people within it and contributing in the best way I can on and off the pitch.

“It’s an exciting new chapter and I can’t wait to experience what it means to be part of the Quins family at The Stoop.”

Quins, who have reshaped their middle-five options across the past two windows, view Dun as a tighthead lock with the capacity to anchor their set piece as they rebuild depth in the engine room.

Quins senior coach Jason Gilmore hailed the signing, saying: “James is a quality tighthead lock who really prides himself on his set piece and his work in the collision area.

“He’s a great young man with a strong attitude and a real desire to keep improving every day. That drive to be the best he can be is exactly what we want in our environment.

“He’ll add real presence, quality, and further size to our pack, and we’re excited to see the impact he’ll have within the group.”