Bristol Bears

Bristol Bears (officially Bristol Rugby Club or Bristol Rugby) are a professional rugby union club based in Bristol, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby.

This article is about the current rugby union club. For the Australian rules football team formerly known as the Bristol Bears, see Bristol Dockers.

Bristol Bears
Full nameBristol Rugby Club
UnionGloucestershire RFU
Nickname(s)Bears, Bris
Founded1888 (1888)
LocationBristol, England
Ground(s)Ashton Gate Stadium (Capacity: 27,000)
ChairmanChris Booy
CEOMark Tainton
Director of RugbyPat Lam
Captain(s)Steven Luatua
League(s)English Premiership
2019–203rd (SF)
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.bristolbearsrugby.com
Current season

The club was founded as Bristol Football Club in 1888; between 1921 and 2014 Bristol's home matches were played at the Memorial Ground and since 2014 Bristol play home matches at Ashton Gate Stadium in the south-west of the city. The current head coach is Pat Lam who was appointed in 2017.

In June 2018 the club rebranded as Bristol Bears; between 2001 and 2005 the club were known as Bristol Shoguns due to a sponsorship deal with Mitsubishi.[1]

Bristol won the 1983 John Player Cup and have also won England's second division four times, most recently in 2017–18. In 2019-2020, Bristol won The European Challenge Cup for the first time.

History

Formation and early history

Bristol Football Club was formed in 1888 when the Carlton club merged with rival club Redland Park to create a united Bristol team.[2] Westbury Park having refused to merge then folded and many of its players subsequently joined Bristol. The County Cricket Ground at Nevil Road was leased for home matches.

The first match was a heavy away defeat to Cardiff and although the first season was relatively successful the second was not with only three games won. The club went from strength to strength over the next few years under the captaincy of W. Tommy Thomson. It turned the corner and in 1891–92, now wearing the more familiar navy and white hooped shirts, the Bristol team won 20 games out of 24.

Over the ensuing seasons the fixture list went from strength to strength, consisting of most of the top English and Welsh sides. In 1900 J. W. Jarman became Bristol's first England cap. Two major touring sides played Bristol during this period. The first New Zealand All Blacks defeated the club 41–0 in 1905 and in 1909 a combined Bristol and Clifton RFC team, captained by Percy Down, lost to Australia 11–3.

World Wars

The club was beginning to bring on a new generation of players when the First World War halted all rugby. After the war a Bristol United side was formed to provide rugby for returning servicemen and this led to the rebirth of Bristol in 1919. The County Ground was no longer available for home games so the club rented a field at Radnor Road,[3] Horfield although occasional matches were staged at the Bristol City and Bristol Rovers grounds.[3] The Radnor Road seasons were good ones for the club and a new crop of stars appeared.

The Memorial Ground stadium was built on an area of land called Buffalo Bill's Field which was previously occupied by allotments in 1921.[3] Bristol defeated Cardiff 19–3 in the opening match in front of a large crowd.[2][3]

The fiftieth anniversary was celebrated in 1938 but the next few years saw a fall in performances and the final inter-war season was a poor one. During World War II a Bristol Supporters team kept rugby union going in the city. Thus Bristol had readily available players when peacetime rugby union resumed in 1945.

1950s

The playing record in the early fifties was mixed, but there was a huge improvement under the captaincy of first Bert MacDonald, and then Dick Hawkes. Records were broken in 1956–57 and even better was to follow in what has been called 'The Blake Era'.

Fly half John Blake became captain in 1957 and under his leadership the club developed an entertaining running style of rugby involving backs and forwards, which was years ahead of its time. The Bristol club set and broke new records for wins in a season and points scored and goal kicking forward Gordon Cripps rewrote the individual points scoring records.

1960s–1980s

The 75th anniversary was celebrated in 1962–63 and floodlights were installed in the following season. Club form peaked in 1965–66 under Derek Neate's captaincy when 39 games were won, and again in 1971–72 under Tony Nicholls. This was the club's best ever season with a thousand points being scored for the first time[3] and the team being crowned unofficial English and Anglo-Welsh champions.

Under Mike Rafter's captaincy, the club won the John Player Cup in 1983, defeating Leicester 28–22. During this period Alan Morley established a world record of 479 tries in senior rugby. The centenary season with Nigel Pomphrey as captain was celebrated in style with a game against the Barbarians and a narrow defeat in the cup final.

1990s

In 1996, Bristol Rovers moved into the Memorial Stadium as tenants of Bristol Rugby, and later took over ownership of the stadium through the Memorial Stadium Company.[3]

1998–99 (Premership Two)
Relegation to Premiership Two in 1998 was not the worst of Bristol's problems. Only an eleventh hour rescue by Malcolm Pearce saved the club from potential oblivion. Bristol also lost control of the Memorial Stadium Company to Bristol Rovers and were tenants thereafter until their eventual departure from the stadium at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season. Bristol's first season outside the top flight brought with it a number of first-time visits to clubs. Bristol went on to win the Premiership Two title and promotion back to Premiership One, sealing the win with a 22–11 victory over Worcester.

2000s
Bristol playing Northampton during the 2007–08 Premiership.

The World Cup disrupted the early part of the 1999–00 season, with a number of players missing the first few games. Under the captaincy of Dean Ryan the team finished sixth, just missing out on European Cup qualification. At the end of the season Dean Ryan took over as head coach from Bob Dwyer. After an opening day victory over newly promoted Rotherham, Bristol had a disappointing 2000–01 season finishing ninth. Off the field, Jack Rowell became managing director, and successful community initiatives saw the attendance figures rise. Chief Executive Nicholas de Scossa was involved in debates about top clubs separating from the Rugby Football Union and forming a new Premier League.[4]

The 2001–02 season brought a new name, Bristol Shoguns, following a five-year £2-million sponsorship deal with Mitsubishi Motors. The Shoguns finishing the season with the most bonus points in the Zurich Premiership, three players in the top try scorers chart, a place at Twickenham in the final of the play-offs (the year before winning the play-offs constituted winning the English title), and also a place in the Heineken Cup for the 2002–03 season. In the close season head coach Dean Ryan moved to Gloucester, Jack Rowell resigned as Director of Rugby whilst skipper Jason Little retired. Peter Thorburn took over as coach. League results were mixed, but there were more wins than defeats including a first ever league win away at Bath. At Christmas 2002 owner Malcolm Pearce announced that he would quit at the end of the season.[5] Rumours circulated that Bristol could be sold to Firoz Kassam and play out of Oxford, and a merger with rivals Bath had been mooted.[6] Neither event came to pass, but Bristol were relegated at the end of the season as off-field distractions took their toll.[7]

Before the start of the 2003–04 season Martin Haag and a week later Richard Hill joined as first team coach and head coach respectively. While the board were raising money to stabilise the club Haag and Hill implemented a 'three-year plan' to rebuild Bristol and put them back in the Premiership. They won National League One the following year and were promoted.

The club's deal with Mitsubishi expired in July 2005, and the club started 2005–06 in the Premiership as Bristol RFC. Bristol elected to play two 2006–07 games at Ashton Gate, home of football side Bristol City. The local derby against Bath and the game against Leicester were moved from the 11,750 capacity Memorial Stadium to Ashton Gate's 21,500 capacity to allow more fans the chance to watch the team. The precedent for this was established for a crucial relegation fixture against Bath in May 2003. Bristol finished third in the league, securing a Heineken Cup place for only the second time, and then reached the semi-finals of the play-offs, losing 26–14 at Leicester. Martin Haag was released as Bristol's forwards coach in June 2007 and replaced by John Brain.[8]

Bristol could not replicate the success of the previous season and ended the 2007–08 season in 9th place. They also failed to progress from their Heineken Cup group, despite a home win against Stade Français. The following season Bristol struggled, winning only two games, and were relegated from the premiership.[9] Richard Hill stepped down as coach in February 2009, with two months and eight games of the season remaining.[10] Paul Hull took over as Bristol's head coach.

2010–2015

Following a failed attempt to immediately return to the Premiership, losing to Exeter Chiefs in the final of the play-offs, a number of first team players quit the club and financial pressures caused significant worries at the club once more.[11] With a more modest squad of players, Bristol struggled to find winning form in the 2010–11 season finishing eighth in the championship and failing to reach the playoff finals. In 2011, following a lack of success Paul Hull in mutual agreement with club left Bristol Rugby and was replaced by academy coach Liam Middleton.[12] In Middleton's first full season in charge Bristol finished top of the championship table but failed to progress to the play-off finals, losing to Cornish Pirates in the semi-finals.[13] From the 2008–09 season businessman Stephen Lansdown financed Bristol Rugby, this only became public knowledge when Lansdown formalised his ownership of the club in 2012.[14]

In the 2012–13 season Bristol missed out on the play-off finals, finishing fifth in the championship. At the end of the 2012–13 season it was announced that former Ospreys head coach Sean Holley would join Bristol Rugby as the first team coach.[15] Andy Robinson joined Bristol Rugby as director of rugby in March 2013,[16] at first working with head coach Liam Middleton but following a poor run of results Middleton was sacked by the club following an internal review later in March 2013.[17]

The 2013–14 season brought a return to form with Bristol Rugby finishing top of the championship table. However, Bristol failed to secure promotion to the premiership, losing both legs of the play-off finals to London Welsh. In the close season a number of players were signed to the club in expectation of promotion for the 2014–15 season, including Samoan Internationals Anthony Perenise Jack Lam & David Lemi, Welsh internationals Matthew Morgan, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones[18] and Dwayne Peel[19] and Wing George Watkins return from Cardiff Blues mid season. Further signings for the 2014–15 season would feature Gareth Maule, Jack O'Connell, Darren Hudson and Gavin Henson.

Bristol Rugby moved from the Memorial Stadium to Ashton Gate Stadium, the home of Bristol City Football Club. Ashton Gate Stadium had a capacity of 21,497. In the run-in to the end of season play-off's the club signed high-profile players in Hooker Ross McMillan, Italian Centre Tommaso Benvenuti and Welsh international Gavin Henson. End of the season saw the departure of Forwards Coach Danny Wilson to Cardiff Blues. The Club again failed to earn promotion to the Premiership for the 2015–16 season losing by one point to Worcester Warriors in the Play-off Finals. At the end of the season Wales international fly half Nicky Robinson leaves the club to take up a fresh challenge in France with Oyonnax.

2015–2018

Much of the squad from the previous season remained with Andy Robinson bolstering his options for the new campaign by signing ex-England winger Tom Varndell. On 4 February it was announced that New Zealander Mark Bakewell would replace Borthwick. The new year saw the announcement that Matthew Morgan to further his international chances was to be leaving the club at the end of the season and joining Danny Wilson at Cardiff Blues. However, Bristol were able to clinch promotion to Aviva Premiership with a 60–47 aggregate win over Doncaster.

February 2016 saw the signing of Wales International scrum half Rhodri Williams from Scarlets for the 2016–17 season. Tusi Pisi signed for the club from Japan's Sunwolves Super Rugby franchise in March. Head coach Sean Holley resigned from his position at the club.[20] Former Welsh Internationals Jonathan Thomas appointed first team Defence Coach & Dwayne Peel Backs and Skills Coach. Further signings include USA International Centre Thretton Palamo from Saracens and Tongan International Prop Forward Soane Tonga'uiha from French side Oyonnax.

November 2016 saw the sacking of Director of Rugby Andy Robinson due to poor results and 'lost confidence' from the board. Club stalwart and top points scorer Mark Tainton was appointed interim head coach for the remainder of the season. Further signings announced by club included Siale Piutau from Yamaha Jubio, Irish international lock forward Dan Tuohy, All Black international scrum half Alby Matthewson and Shane Geraghty from London Irish.

On New Year's Day, 2017, Varndell equalled Mark Cueto's premiership tries record of 90 tries by scoring against Sale Sharks. This followed a hat-trick in the previous week against Worcester Warriors. On 10 February Varndell became the leading try scorer in the Aviva Premiership when he scored against Harlequins at Ashton Gate.

Ultimately, Bristol finished bottom of the Premiership in their returning year, having been relegated with 2 weeks to go after a 21–36 loss against Wasps at Ashton Gate. They finished 12th with only 3 wins and 20 accumulated points, 13 behind 11th placed Worcester Warriors. Their three victories involved beating Worcester 28–20 at Ashton Gate, beating Sale 23–24 at the AJ Bell, and dramatically defeating longstanding rivals Bath Rugby 12–11 at home. Following their relegation, several notable signings moved away from the club, including Jason Woodward to Gloucester Rugby and Gavin Henson to Newport Gwent Dragons.

On 5 December 2016, it was announced that Pat Lam would become the new head coach for Bristol Rugby after leaving the Irish region Connacht ahead of the 2017–18 season.[21] Notable signings ahead of the new season were Australian International Luke Morahan from Western Force and All Black Steven Luatua from Blues.

Bristol secured promotion in the 2017-18 RFU Championship with two games to spare on 7 April 2018 and ultimately finished top with only one defeat at the hands of Jersey Reds on 4 March 2018.[22] Bristol finished 20 points ahead of Ealing Trailfinders and a further 15 points ahead of third placed Bedford Blues.[23] The scrapping of the promotion playoffs that season meant that the team at the top of the table after the regular season was promoted. This greatly played into the club's hands as the playoffs have dramatically turned against them in the past; in the 2009–10, 2011–12, 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons, Bristol finished first in the table, only to be eliminated by Exeter Chiefs, Cornish Pirates, London Welsh and Worcester Warriors respectively, three of whom secured promotion instead.

2018–2019: Return to Premiership and rebrand

On 1 June 2018, Bristol Rugby was re-branded as the Bristol Bears following their return to the Premiership.[24]

The club announced a raft of new signings including the All Blacks full back Charles Piutau from Ulster Rugby, former All Blacks Prop John Afoa from Gloucester Rugby and Hooker Harry Thacker from Leicester Tigers.[25]

The opening match of the 2018–19 Premiership Rugby season was against fierce rivals Bath Rugby at Ashton Gate. A crowd of over 26,000 watched Bristol Bears run out 17-10 victors over their old foe. The winning try was scored by Alapati Leiua with four penalties scored by Irish International fly half Ian Madigan.[26] Bristol finished the season in 9th place including nine victories (one over Bath, Harlequins,[27] Northampton Saints, Gloucester and Saracens and two over Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons[28]).

In Europe, Bristol were drawn in Pool 4 of the Challenge Cup with the other teams being Stade Rochelais, Zebre and Yenisey-STM Krasnoyarsk. On 15 December 2018, Bristol recorded a surprise win over Stade Rochelais in a 3–13 at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre through a try by forward Jordan Crane and a dogged defensive display.[29] They finished third in their group before losing 39–15 to Stade Rochelais in the quarter finals, ending their run in the tournament.

On 29 November, it was confirmed that the Bears would be signing Semi Radradra ahead of the 2020/21 season, joining on a 3-year deal from Bordeaux Bègles, creating one of the most dangerous back three in Rugby Union, alongside Charles Piutau and Luke Morahan.

2019/2020 season

Bristol signed England internationals Nathan Hughes and Dave Attwood in advance of the 2019/2020 season and also Henry Purdy from Coventry Rugby to bring a total of 15 new signings. Players released included Tusi Pisi, Jack Lam and George Smith. Bristol started their second year in the Gallagher Premiership with a home tie against Bath Rugby.[30] This resulted in a 43-16 win for the Bears and included a try on his senior debut for Ioan Lloyd who came on as a replacement at full back.[31]

The season continued with a loss to Harlequin F.C. away before a home win against Sale and a memorable away win at Sandy Park against the eventual champions, Exeter Chiefs. December brought a dip in form on the domestic front with a home draw with London Irish and defeats to Saracens and Wasps. In the European Challenge Cup, Bristol were drawn against Zebre, CA Brive and Stade Français. Bristol won all but one of these fixtures home and away with the only non win being the 7-7 away draw with Zebre. A return to the premiership resulted in back to back wins against Gloucester, Northampton Saints, Bath and Harlequins. However, the season was then interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and all rugby was suspended by the RFU on 17 March 2020.[32] The season resumed on 15 August without any spectators with a home win against . By this time, the club had been joined by the new signings of Semi Radradra, England prop Kyle Sinckler from Harlequin F.C. and the Saracens loanees of Ben Earl and Max Malins. Eventually Bristol finished third in the Premiership meaning an away semi final against Wasps. Bristol lost this 47-24 to finish with a domestic record of 14 wins, 1 draw and 7 losses. A total of 561 points were scored and 457 conceded.[33]

In the Challenge Cup, Bristol finished top of their group and were given a home quarter final against welsh side Dragons. Bristol ran in seven tries to win 56-17.[34] This set up a home semi final against Bordeaux Bègles which was won by the home side 37-20 after extra time.[35] In the final they faced former European Champions, Toulon at Stade Maurice David in Aix-en-Provence. Bristol scored the fastest try in European Rugby final [36] after just 15 second through a try from scrum half Harry Randall. A second try from Max Malins and points from the tee came from the two conversions and six penalties from the boot of Callum Sheedy to give Bristol the cup with a 32-19 win and their first ever major European title[37]

Season summaries
League Domestic Cup Domestic Trophy European Cup
Season Competition Final Position Points Play-Offs Competition Performance Competition Performance Competition Performance
1987–88 Courage League Division 1 9th 23 N/A John Player Cup Runners-up No competition N/A No competition N/A
1988–89 Courage League Division 1 7th 12 N/A Pilkington Cup Quarter-final No competition N/A No competition N/A
1989–90 Courage League Division 1 9th 8 N/A Pilkington Cup Quarter-final No competition N/A No competition N/A
1990–91 Courage League Division 1 11th 9 N/A Pilkington Cup 4th round No competition N/A No competition N/A
1991–92 Courage League Division 1 10th 8 N/A Pilkington Cup Quarter-final No competition N/A No competition N/A
1992–93 Courage League Division 1 6th 12 N/A Pilkington Cup 3rd round No competition N/A No competition N/A
1993–94 Courage League Division 1 4th 20 N/A Pilkington Cup 5th round No competition N/A No competition N/A
1994–95 Courage League Division 1 6th 14 N/A Pilkington Cup 5th round No competition N/A No competition N/A
1995–96 Courage League Division 1 6th 16 N/A Pilkington Cup Quarter-final No competition N/A No English teams N/A
1996–97 Courage League Division 1 9th 17 N/A Pilkington Cup 5th round No competition N/A Challenge Cup 5th in pool
1997–98 Allied Dunbar Premiership 12th (R) 4 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup 4th round C&G Cup Not known Challenge Cup 2nd in pool
1998–99 Allied Dunbar Premiership 2 1st (P) 44 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup 4th round C&G Cup Not known No English teams N/A
1999–00 Allied Dunbar Premiership 6th 34 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup Semi-final No competition N/A Challenge Cup Semi-final
2000–01 Zurich Premiership 9th 44 N/A Tetley's Bitter Cup 5th round No competition N/A Challenge Cup 3rd in pool
2001–02 Zurich Premiership 8th 50 N/A Powergen Cup 6th round Powergen Shield Not eligible Challenge Cup Quarter-final
2002–03 Zurich Premiership 12th (R) 36 - Powergen Cup 6th round Powergen Shield Not eligible Heineken Cup 2nd in pool
2003–04 National Division 1 9th 51 N/A Powergen Cup 6th round Powergen Shield Champions Not qualified N/A
2004–05 National Division 1 1st (P) 105 N/A Powergen Cup Quarter-final Powergen Shield Not known Not qualified N/A
2005–06 Guinness Premiership 11th 41 - Powergen Cup 4th in pool EDF Energy Trophy Not eligible Challenge Cup 3rd in pool
2006–07 Guinness Premiership 3rd 64 Semi-final EDF Energy Cup 3rd in pool EDF Energy Trophy Not eligible Challenge Cup Quarter-final
2007–08 Guinness Premiership 9th 37 - EDF Energy Cup 3rd in pool EDF Energy Trophy Not eligible Heineken Cup 3rd in pool
2008–09 Guinness Premiership 12th (R) 17 - EDF Energy Cup 4th in pool EDF Energy Trophy Not eligible Challenge Cup 2nd in pool
2009–10 RFU Championship 1st 92 Runners-up LV= Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup 2nd in pool Not qualified N/A
2010–11 RFU Championship 8th 41 - LV= Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup Champions Not qualified N/A
2011–12 RFU Championship 1st 81 Semi-final LV= Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup 4th in pool Not qualified N/A
2012–13 RFU Championship 5th 65 - LV= Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup Quarter-final Not qualified N/A
2013–14 RFU Championship 1st 96 Runners-up LV= Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup Semi-final Not qualified N/A
2014–15 RFU Championship 1st 103 Runners-up LV= Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup Semi-final Not qualified N/A
2015–16 RFU Championship 1st (P) 95 Champions No competition N/A British and Irish Cup 2nd in pool Not qualified N/A
2016–17 Aviva Premiership 12th (R) 20 - Anglo-Welsh Cup 3rd in pool British and Irish Cup Not eligible Challenge Cup 3rd in pool
2017–18 RFU Championship 1st (P) 103 - Anglo-Welsh Cup Not eligible British and Irish Cup 3rd in pool Not qualified N/A
2018–19 Gallagher Premiership 9th 51 - Premiership Cup 2nd in pool Championship Cup Not eligible Challenge Cup Quarter-final
2019–20 Gallagher Premiership 3rd 69 Semi-final Premiership Cup 2nd in pool Championship Cup Not eligible Challenge Cup Champions

Gold background denotes champions
Silver background denotes runners-up
Pink background denotes relegated

Club honours

Bristol Bears

Current squad
For player movements before or during the 2020–21 season, see List of 2020–21 Premiership Rugby transfers § Bristol Bears.

Senior squad

The Bristol Bears squad for the 2020–21 season is:[lower-alpha 1][38]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Bryan Byrne Hooker Ireland
Will Capon Hooker England
Harry Thacker Hooker England
John Afoa Prop New Zealand
Jake Armstrong Prop England
Max Lahiff Prop England
Peter McCabe Prop Ireland
Kyle Sinckler Prop England
Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro Prop Argentina
Yann Thomas Prop England
Jake Woolmore Prop England
Dave Attwood Lock England
John Hawkins Lock England
Ed Holmes Lock England
Joe Joyce Lock Ireland
Chris Vui Lock Samoa
James Dun Back row England
Mitch Eadie Back row Scotland
Ben Earl (loan) Back row England
Jake Heenan Back row New Zealand
Nathan Hughes Back row England
Steve Luatua (c) Back row New Zealand
Dan Thomas Back row Wales
Player Position Union
Chris Cook Scrum-half England
Tom Kessell Scrum-half England
Harry Randall Scrum-half England
Andy Uren Scrum-half England
Tiff Eden Fly-half England
Callum Sheedy Fly-half Wales
Sam Bedlow Centre England
Piers O'Conor Centre England
Siale Piutau Centre Tonga
Charlie Powell Centre England
Semi Radradra Centre Fiji
Niyi Adeolokun Wing Ireland
Toby Fricker Wing Wales
Alapati Leiua Wing Samoa
Luke Morahan Wing Australia
Ratu Naulago Wing Fiji
Henry Purdy Wing England
Max Malins (loan) Fullback England
Charles Piutau Fullback New Zealand

Academy squad

The Bristol Bears Academy squad is:[39][40]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
George Kloska Hooker England
Aaron Thompson* Hooker England
George Perry* Prop England
Andrew Turner Prop England
Ben Bamber Lock England
Charlie Rice* Lock England
Alex Groves Lock England
Fitz Harding Back row England
Player Position Union
Blake Boyland Scrum-half England
Ioan Lloyd Fly-half Wales
Tom Wilstead Fly-half England
Harry Ascherl Centre England
Harry Rowson* Centre England
Deago Bailey Wing England
Jack Bates Wing England
Freddie Owsley Wing England
Benjy Joseland* Wing England
Chay Mullins* Fullback England

Note: Players marked with an * are academy scholars and train part-time with the club

Club staff

Management

First team coaching

Academy

  • Senior academy manager – Gethin Watts
  • Junior academy manager – Gary Townsend[48]

Head coaches/directors of rugby
Years Name Achievements
1980–1984 David Tyler[49]
  • RFU South West Merit Table winners 1980, 1981, 1982
  • John Player Cup winners 1983
  • John Player Cup finalists 1984
1984–1986 Mike Rafter
1986 - 1989 Bob Hesford
  • John Player Cup Quarter Finalists 1987
  • John Player Cup Finalists 1988
  • Pilkington Cup Quarter Finalists 1989
1989 - 1990 Colin McFadyean Pilkington Cup Quarter Finalists 1990
1990–1992 Rob Cunningham Pilkington Cup Quarter Finalists 1992
1992–1995 Brian Hanlon
1995–1996 Alan Davies
1996–1998 Darryl Jones Pilkington Cup Quarter Finalists 1996
1998–2000 Bob Dwyer
  • Allied Dunbar Premiership Two champions – promoted to Allied Dunbar Premiership One 1998–99
  • Tetley's Bitter Cup Semi Finalists 2000
2000–2002 Dean Ryan Zurich Premiership Finalists 2002
2002–2003 Peter Thorburn
2003–2008 Richard Hill
  • National Division One champions – promoted to Guinness Premiership 2004–05
  • Powergen Shield Champions 2004
2008–2011 Paul Hull British and Irish Cup champions 2011
2011–2013 Liam Middleton British and Irish Cup Quarter Finalists 2013
2013–2016 Andy Robinson
  • British and Irish Cup Semi Finalists 2014
  • British and Irish Cup Semi Finalists 2015
  • Greene King IPA Championship Champions 2015/2016 - Promoted to Aviva Premiership 2016/17
2016–2017 Mark Tainton
2017– Pat Lam
  • Greene King IPA Championship Champions 2017/2018 - Promoted to Gallagher Premiership 2018/19
  • European Challenge Cup Winners 2019/20
  • Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finalists 2019/20

Notable and former players

Notable players to have played for the club include:

There are several former Bristol Rugby players currently playing at other top flight clubs:

Archives

Records relating to Bristol Rugby Club are held at Bristol Archives (Ref. 41582) (online catalogue) and (Ref. 44624) (online catalogue).

Notes
  1. Ben Earl and Max Malins joins Bristol Bears on a season-long loans from Saracens for the 2020-21 season

References
  1. "Bristol Rugby to rebrand as Bristol Bears ahead of Gallagher Premiership Rugby return". The Daily Telegraph. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. Rugger - The History, Theory and Practice of Rugby Football Wakefield, W. 1928
  3. The End of the Line ESPN, Huw Richards, 04/06/14
  4. Ackford, Paul (15 October 2000). "De Scossa blunder proves costly". Telegraph. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  5. "Bristol boss quits club". BBC News. 14 May 2003.
  6. "Bristol and Bath hold merger talks". The Guardian. 2 May 2003.
  7. "Former players could save Shoguns". The Telegraph. 16 May 2003.
  8. Gallagher, Brendan (16 June 2007). "Haag axed as Bristol use Brain". Telegraph. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
  9. "London Irish 38–21 Bristol". The BBC. 4 April 2009. Retrieved 5 April 2009.
  10. "Richard Hill leaves Bristol Rugby". bristolrugby.co.uk. 27 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2 March 2009.
  11. "Bristol Rugby to cut players and staff after Exeter defeat". The Guardian. 1 June 2010.
  12. "Head coach Paul Hull to leave Bristol in the summer". BBC News. 4 March 2011.
  13. "Newcastle breathe easier after Pirates scupper Bristol in play-off". The Guardian. 7 May 2012.
  14. "Steve Lansdown adds Bristol Rugby to ownership of Bristol City". The Guardian. 7 February 2012.
  15. "Sean Holley named as first team coach". Bristol Rugby. 23 April 2013.
  16. "Andy Robinson: Bristol name ex-Scotland boss as director of rugby". BBC News. 18 February 2013.
  17. "Liam Middleton: Bristol sack head coach after internal review". BBC News. 18 March 2013.
  18. "Ryan Jones: Bristol sign Wales forward from Ospreys". BBC News. 24 March 2014.
  19. "Bristol hail signing of Dwayne Peel from Sale as 'a major coup'". The Guardian. 7 January 2014.
  20. "Sean Holley: Bristol first-team coach leaves promoted club". BBC News. 24 May 2016.
  21. "Pat Lam announced as Bristol Rugby Head Coach". Telegraph. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2017.
  22. https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/matchday-centre-jersey-reds/
  23. https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/fixtures-and-results/standings/2017-2018/
  24. "Club to enter exciting new era as Bristol Bears" (Press release). Bristol Bears. 16 April 2018. Archived from the original on 1 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  25. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/who-bristol-rugbys-new-signings-1255650
  26. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/08/31/bristol-bears-vs-bath-gallagher-premiership-live-score-updates/
  27. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP2814358
  28. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP2814387
  29. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46526258
  30. https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/fixtures/first-team-fixtures/2019-2020/
  31. https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/report-bristol-bears-43-16-bath-rugby/
  32. https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rugby-football-union-suspends-all-rugby
  33. https://www.premiershiprugby.com/gallagher-premiership-rugby/league-table/
  34. https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/report-bristol-bears-56-17-dragons-rugby/
  35. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54235229
  36. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/bristol-vs-toulon/96875
  37. https://www.epcrugby.com/report/blistering-bristol-bears-dominate-second-half-to-clinch-maiden-challenge-cup-crown/#report
  38. "Bristol Bears announce retained list". Bristol Bears. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
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