James Dun is expected to join Harlequins ahead of the 2026/27 seasonJames Dun of Bristol Bears breaks through to score his side’s first try (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Bristol Bears are understood to have lost the fight to keep academy graduate James Dun at Ashton Gate next season after the forward has had his head turned by Gallagher PREM rivals Harlequins.

Dun, who is equally adept at lock or blindside flanker, is one of the few true success stories to have come out of the Bristol Bears academy in recent years, with the club having made bringing Bristolians through into the first team as a key pillar of their long-term strategy when director of rugby Pat Lam first arrived at the club in 2017.

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Following reports earlier in the week that Harlequins were interested in signing Dun, who has made 55 senior appearances for the Bears since his debut in 2017, BristolLive now understands that a deal has been done for the 6ft 4in, nearly 17 and half stone forward to move down the M4.

Since returning to Bristol in 2023 following a transformative season on loan in the Champ with Jersey Reds, Dun has become a first-team regular, with his ability to play in multiple positions in the pack highly valued by Lam. And at 26, he is now approaching what should be the peak years of his playing career, but with the Bears having brought in the likes of Argentina star lock Pedro Rubiolo to partner Joe Batley in the second row, Dun is understood to have moved in search of more regular game time.

Few players have stronger ties to the Bears than Dun, who comes from true Bristol Rugby royalty, with his father, Andy, having captained the club. However, he will move on to pastures new in 2026/27, with the deal yet to be confirmed by either club.

Dun’s departure at the end of the season makes securing the services of rising second-row star Joe Owen on a long-term deal a key objective over the coming months.

Owen, 24, has already made eight appearances for the club this season, predominantly coming off the bench.