Bears confirm 2024/25 squad

Director of Rugby Pat Lam has confirmed a young and exciting Bristol Bears first team squad for the 2024/25 campaign.

• World class Bill Mata headline signing in 2024/25 squad
• Overall reduction in average age of 2024/25 squad
• Half of the senior squad are Bristolian/Academy graduates

Fijian international Viliame Mata will add world class firepower to the pack, while experienced prop Lovejoy Chawatama is also added. A quartet of second row Steele Barker, hooker Tom Doughty, scrum half Sam Edwards and flanker Kofi Cripps are also added in a youthful 2024/25 roster.

Lam also offers professional terms for our Senior Academy to four highly talented young players– Wales U20 wing Aidan Boshoff, powerhouse centre Gethin O’Callaghan, Wales U20 prop Sam Scott and dynamic lock Ethan Surrey.

Former Leicester Tigers and England U20 centre, Jacob Cusick, is another new arrival in Bear Country, with the versatile young back signing a BUCS Super Rugby pathway deal and returning to Loughborough University to complete his studies.

Director of Rugby Pat Lam said: “While our squad for the 2024/25 season will be the smallest we have had since I arrived at the club in 2017, I am genuinely excited by the quality of this group where the average age of our players has also come down.

“I believe we have great balance across the squad, with an exciting blend of young, hungry players with huge potential, alongside established internationals, and experienced proven Premiership performers.

“Once again, there will certainly be opportunities for all our players including our high number of homegrown men to compete and fight for Bears jerseys on the field.

“It’s an exciting time for the Bristol Bears as we look to continue to build on the momentum and the quality of rugby that we produced for the second half of last season.”

2024/25 FIRST TEAM SQUAD

• Players listed by no. of apps
• * indicates Bristolian or Academy graduate

Loosehead prop:

Jake Woolmore (150 apps)
Yann Thomas (113 apps) *
Ellis Genge (43 apps) *
Sam Grahamslaw (9 apps)

Hooker:

Harry Thacker (114 apps)
Will Capon (86 apps) *
Gabriel Oghre (16 apps)
Tom Doughty

Tighthead prop:

Max Lahiff (86 apps)
George Kloska (43 apps) *
Lovejoy Chawatama

Second row:

Joe Batley (62 apps)
James Dun (33 apps) *
Josh Caulfield (23 apps) *
Joe Owen (14 apps)
Steele Barker

Back row:

Steven Luatua (129 apps)
Jake Heenan (109 apps)
Fitz Harding (71 apps) *
Benjamin Grondona (1 app)
Kofi Cripps (1 app)
Santiago Grondona
Viliame Mata

Scrum-half:

Harry Randall (124 apps)
Kieran Marmion (22 apps)
Sam Wolstenholme (4 apps)
Sam Edwards

Fly-half:

AJ MacGinty (36 apps)

Centre:

James Williams (40 apps)
Benhard Janse van Rensburg (23 apps)
Kalaveti Ravouvou (9 apps)

Wing:

Gabriel Ibitoye (39 apps)
Jack Bates (36 apps) *
Siva Naulago (33 apps)
Deago Bailey (11 apps) *

Full back:

Rich Lane (35 apps)
Max Malins (31 apps)
Noah Heward (19 apps)

Senior Academy:

Joe Jenkins – centre (11 apps)
Andrew Turner – LH prop (9 apps)
Paddy Pearce – back row (7 apps)
Sam Worsley – fly half (7 apps)
Harry Rowson – wing (7 apps)
Aaron Tull – back row (4 apps)
George Taylor – second row (4 apps)
Tomas Gwilliam – hooker (2 apps)
Jimmy Halliwell – TH prop (2 apps)
Aidan Boshoff – wing (1 app)
Louie Trevett – LH prop
Sam Scott – TH prop
Kenzie Jenkins – second row
Ethan Surrey – second Row
Toby Baker – centre
Gethin O’Callaghan – centre

Ed Harvey – back row (Loughborough BUCS)
Sami Hamid – full back (Loughborough BUCS)
Jacob Cusick – centre (Loughborough BUCS)
Will Pearce – LH prop (Cardiff Met BUCS)