{"id":142859,"date":"2025-05-30T01:32:27","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T01:32:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/142859\/"},"modified":"2025-05-30T01:32:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T01:32:27","slug":"bristol-bears-confirm-smallest-squad-since-pat-lams-arrival-as-he-gambles-on-youth-for-2025-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/142859\/","title":{"rendered":"Bristol Bears confirm ‘smallest’ squad since Pat Lam’s arrival as he gambles on youth for 2025\/26"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bristol Bears will have just 31 senior players in their squad for the new campaignBristol Bears’ Director of Rugby Pat Lam. (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Bristol Bears will .go into the 2025\/26 season with just 31 senior players which will be the Premiership club’s smallest squad since Pat Lam’s arrival, leaving the ambitious director of rugby thin of the ground should injuries bite as they have this year.<\/p>\n

Last season the Bears had 38 senior players on their roster at this time of year, with the average in the Gallagher Premiership in recent years being around 43. While the Bears are reported to be on the hunt for a loosehead prop recruit, with Yann Thomas retiring at the end of the current campaign, the majority of Lam’s recruitment is understood to be done and already announced, with Scotland international Tom Jordan arriving from Glasgow Warriors and Argentinian international powerhouse lock Pedro Rubiolo already having made the switch from Newcastle Falcons while completing his rehab on a serious foot injury.<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Bristol Bears confirmed 11 departing players at the end of 2024\/25 season<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The versatile Max Pepper is another new arrival from Newcatle, covering scrum half and wing, while BUCS duo, wing Josh Carrington (Cardiff Met) and second row Will Ramply (University of Nottingham) have also sign professional terms with the Bears.<\/p>\n

Lam has also agreed professional Senior Academy contracts to nine highly rated young players from the club\u2019s U18 squad. Wales U18 full-back Evan Morris and England U18 centre Victor Worsnip join full-time, while Osian Williams (second row), Kieran Hill (hooker), Cai Gealy (scrum half), Jeke Bulanauca (wing), Arthur Guyot (number eight), George Leyland (prop) and Ollie Harris (full-back) sign BUCS Super Rugby pathway deals, allowing them to continue their studies alongside their rugby careers.<\/p>\n

Bristol director of Rugby Pat Lam said: \u201cNext season\u2019s squad of 31 senior players and 19 Senior Academy players is an exciting blend of young, hungry players with huge potential, experienced proven Premiership performers and some established internationals, added to by the arrivals of Scotland\u2019s Tom Jordan and Argentina\u2019s Pedro Rubiolo.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaving a smaller squad last season has seen so many of our younger players get plenty of opportunities to step up in all three competitions. There is real excitement amongst our Senior Academy knowing they have genuine chances of being selected if they do the work. We are looking forward to that group, and the new intake in our Senior Academy, continuing to develop and compete to add real value for the Bears, as we will undoubtedly need all our squad to challenge in the three competitions next season.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough it will be the smallest senior playing squad I have had since I arrived, with more than 1,800 combined Bears appearances across the board, this squad will be more cohesive than any of our previous squads. It will allow us to continue to provide increased opportunities for our young, homegrown players to thrive and develop, as we have seen from Bristolians Will Capon, James Dun, George Kloska and Jack Bates over the past 12 months.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an exciting time for the Bristol Bears<\/a> and we believe this is a squad that can compete for the Gallagher Premiership Play-Offs once again in 2025\/26.\u201d<\/p>\n

2024\/25 FIRST TEAM SQUAD<\/strong><\/p>\n