Bristol Bears announce 17 player departures
The club has begun to announce its retained list for the 2024/25 season
At least seventeen players will leave Bristol Bears at the end of the current season, the club has confirmed.
The Premiership side has begun revealing its 2024/25 retained list with several notable players on their way out, including the club's all time record Premiership points scorer, Callum Sheedy.
The fly-half is set to join Cardiff Rugby after 10 years in Bristol.
Also leaving are Piers O'Conor, Ed Holmes and Dan Thomas who have each made more than 100 appearances for the club, plus England international Kyle Sinkler, who will join French side RC Toulon.
Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “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."
Those players leaving will be honoured internally by the club this week, before supporters have the chance to say goodbye at the final home game of the season, against Saracens on Saturday 11th May.
A full list of confirmed first team departures is as follows:
- Callum Sheedy (164 appearances) - Cardiff
- Dan Thomas (144 appearances)
- Piers O'Conor (131 appearances) - Connacht
- Ed Holmes (102 appearances)
- Kyle Sinckler (59 appearances) - RC Toulon
- Magnus Bradbury (43 appearances) - Edinburgh
- Charlie Powell (17 appearances)
- Jono Benz-Salomon (14 apperaances)
- Fred Davies (13 appearances)
- Jay Tyack (12 appearances)
- Harry Ascherl (nine appearances)
- Oscar Lennon (nine appearances)
- Aristot Benz-Salomon (three appearances)
Confirmed academy departures:
- Macenzzie Duncan
- Charlie Rice
- Tom Sims
- Matty Jones
Negotiations with other players remain ongoing with the full 2024/25 retained list to be confirmed in due course.