Super Rugby champion agrees Championship loan move

Doncaster Knights have signed Bristol Bears loosehead prop Andrew Turner on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old Bristol academy product has made nine appearances for the Bears since signing his first deal in 2021.

This will be the second loan spell of Turner’s career, as the former England U20 international enjoyed a short stint with the Crusaders in 2023 during their Super Rugby Pacific title-winning campaign, playing two matches for them.

The Boks office team assess the Tony Brown factor on the SA game

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Turner will join a Doncaster side that finished sixth in the Championship last season, but welcomed former British & Irish Lions boss Sir Ian McGeechan as consultant director of rugby midway through the season to help head coach Joe Ford.

Bristol, meanwhile, have already assembled for preseason, with the new Gallagher Premiership season starting in September.

“The most important factor in a young player’s development is game time, so this is a fantastic opportunity for Drew to get some regular exposure in a very competitive environment,” Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam said after Turner agreed his loan move.

“The Championship is a great competition for up-and-coming forwards to learn and develop their craft.

“The opportunity for Drew to work with my coaching mentor Sir Ian McGeechan and a quality young coach in Joe Ford will be great for his growth.

“The success of sending James Dun on a season-long loan spell with Jersey in the Championship and the way he has returned to be named forward of the season, just demonstrates the benefit of these loan spells in the right environment.”