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{{short description|English rugby union football club}}
{{about|the men's rugby union team|the women's team|Bristol Bears Women|the Australian rules football team formerly known as the Bristol Bears|Bristol Dockers}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname       = Bristol Bears
| image          = Bristol_Bears_logo.svg
| imagesize      = 195px
| union          = Somerset Rugby Football Union
| fullname       = Bristol Rugby Club
| nickname       = Bears, Bris
| location       = [[Bristol]], [[England]]
| region         = 
| countryflag    = England
| founded        = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1888}}
| ground         = [[Ashton Gate Stadium]]
| capacity       = 27,000
| current        = 
| chairman       = Chris Booy
| rugby director = [[Pat Lam]]
| captain        = [[Fitz Harding]]
| appearances    = [[Darren Crompton]] (138)
| top scorer     = [[Felipe Contepomi]] (573)
| most tries     = [[Harry Thacker]] (35)
| league         = [[Premiership Rugby]]
| season         = [[2024–25 Premiership Rugby|2024–25]]
| position       = 4th
| url            = https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/
| pattern_la1 = _whiteborder
| pattern_b1  = _redcollar
| pattern_ra1 = _whiteborder
| pattern_sh1 = 
| pattern_so1 = _hoops white
| leftarm1    = 000080
| body1       = 000080
| rightarm1   = 000080
| shorts1     = 000080
| socks1      = 000080
<!-- away kit --->
| pattern_la2 = _redborder
| pattern_b2  = _blueredleftsash
| pattern_ra2 = _redborder
| pattern_sh2 = 
| pattern_so2 = _red_midband_color
| leftarm2    = FFFFFF
| body2       = FFFFFF
| rightarm2   = FFFFFF
| shorts2     = FFFFFF
| socks2      = FFFFFF
}}
'''Bristol Bears''' (officially '''Bristol Rugby Club''' or Bristol Rugby) are a professional men's [[rugby union]] club based in [[Bristol]], England.  They play in the [[Premiership Rugby|Gallagher PREM]], England's top division of rugby.

The club was founded as '''Bristol Football Club''' in 1888; between 1921 and 2014, home matches were played at the [[Memorial Stadium (Bristol)|Memorial Ground]], and have since been played at [[Ashton Gate Stadium]] in the south-west of the city.  The current head coach [[Pat Lam]] was appointed in 2017.  In the [[2024-25 Premiership Rugby|2024–25 season]] Bristol finished 4th, losing in the play off semi-finals, entitling them to compete in the [[2025-26 European Rugby Champions Cup]].

In 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/04/16/bristol-rugby-rebrand-bristol-bears-ahead-aviva-premiership/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/04/16/bristol-rugby-rebrand-bristol-bears-ahead-aviva-premiership/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=16 April 2018|access-date=1 June 2018|title=Bristol Rugby to rebrand as Bristol Bears ahead of Gallagher Premiership Rugby return }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Bristol won the [[1982–83 John Player Cup|1983 John Player Cup]] and have also won England's second division four times, most recently in [[2017–18 RFU Championship|2017–18]]. In 2019–2020, Bristol won [[European Challenge Cup|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, Bristol|Redland]] Park to create a united Bristol team.<ref name="rugger">[https://books.google.com/books?id=KsV8CgAAQBAJ&dq=bristol%20rugby%20history%20-wikipedia%20carlton&pg=PA151 Rugger - The History, Theory and Practice of Rugby Football] Wakefield, W. 1928</ref> Westbury Park having refused to merge then folded and many of its players subsequently joined Bristol. The [[County Cricket Ground, Bristol|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 national rugby union team|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 Rugby Football Club|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,<ref name="ESPN">[http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/story/228425.html The End of the Line] ESPN, Huw Richards, 04/06/14</ref> Horfield although occasional matches were staged at the [[Bristol City]] and [[Bristol Rovers]] grounds.<ref name="ESPN"/> 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 [[allotment (gardening)|allotments]] in 1921.<ref name="ESPN"/>  Bristol defeated Cardiff 19–3 in the opening match in front of a large crowd.<ref name="rugger"/><ref name="ESPN"/>

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<ref name="ESPN"/> 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.{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}

===1990s===
In 1996, [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] moved into the [[Memorial Stadium (Bristol)|Memorial Stadium]] as tenants of Bristol Rugby, and later took over ownership of the stadium through the Memorial Stadium Company.<ref name="ESPN"/>

1998–99 ([[1998–99 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two|Premiership Two]])<br />
Relegation to [[RFU Championship|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 [[Guinness Premiership|Premiership One]], sealing the win with a 22–11 victory over [[Worcester Warriors|Worcester]].

===2000s===
[[File:BristolRugby.jpg|thumb|Bristol playing Northampton during the 2007–08 Premiership.]]
The [[1999 Rugby World Cup|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 [[Heineken Cup|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 R.U.F.C.|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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ackford |first1=Paul |title=De Scossa blunder proves costly |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/4773705/De-Scossa-blunder-proves-costly.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/4773705/De-Scossa-blunder-proves-costly.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=15 August 2018 |work=Telegraph |date=15 October 2000}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

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 [[Guinness Premiership|Zurich Premiership]], three players in the top try scorers chart, a place at [[Twickenham stadium|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 RFC|Gloucester]], Jack Rowell resigned as Director of Rugby whilst skipper [[Jason Little (rugby union)|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 Rugby|Bath]]. At Christmas 2002 owner Malcolm Pearce announced that he would quit at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/3027509.stm|title=Bristol boss quits club|date=14 May 2003|work=BBC News}}</ref> Rumours circulated that Bristol could be sold to [[Firoz Kassam]] and play out of [[Oxford]], and a merger with rivals Bath had been mooted.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/may/02/rugbyunion.bath|title=Bristol and Bath hold merger talks|date=2 May 2003|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Neither event came to pass, but Bristol were relegated at the end of the season as off-field distractions took their toll.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2404179/Former-players-could-save-Shoguns.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2404179/Former-players-could-save-Shoguns.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Former players could save Shoguns|date=16 May 2003|publisher=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Before the start of the 2003–04 season [[Martin Haag]] and a week later [[Richard Hill (scrum-half)|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 [[Guinness Premiership|Premiership]]. They won [[RFU Championship|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 Guinness Premiership]] games at [[Ashton Gate Stadium|Ashton Gate]], home of [[association football|football]] side [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]. The local derby against Bath and the game against [[Leicester Tigers|Leicester]] were moved from the 11,750 capacity [[Memorial Stadium (Bristol)|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]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gallagher|first1=Brendan|title=Haag axed as Bristol use Brain|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/brendangallagher/2315333/Haag-axed-as-Bristol-use-Brain.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/brendangallagher/2315333/Haag-axed-as-Bristol-use-Brain.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=9 September 2017|work=Telegraph|date=16 June 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Bristol could not replicate the success of the previous season and ended the [[2007–08 Guinness Premiership|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/7976274.stm|title=London Irish 38–21 Bristol |date=4 April 2009|publisher=The BBC|access-date=5 April 2009}}</ref> Richard Hill stepped down as coach in February 2009, with two months and eight games of [[2008–09 Guinness Premiership|the season]] remaining.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/6127.php|title=Richard Hill leaves Bristol Rugby|date=27 February 2009|publisher=bristolrugby.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302135206/http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/6127.php|archive-date=2 March 2009}}</ref> [[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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/jun/01/bristol-rugby-cut-players-staff|title=Bristol Rugby to cut players and staff after Exeter defeat|date=1 June 2010|work=The Guardian}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/9414505.stm|title=Head coach Paul Hull to leave Bristol in the summer|date=4 March 2011|work=BBC News}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/may/07/cornish-pirates-bristol-championship-play-off|title=Newcastle breathe easier after Pirates scupper Bristol in play-off|date=7 May 2012|work=The Guardian}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/feb/07/steve-lansdown-bristol-rugby-city|title=Steve Lansdown adds Bristol Rugby to ownership of Bristol City|date=7 February 2012|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/news/8716/sean-holley-named-as-first-team-coach/|title=Sean Holley named as first team coach|date=23 April 2013|publisher=Bristol Rugby}}</ref> [[Andy Robinson]] joined Bristol Rugby as director of rugby in March 2013,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21496687|title=Andy Robinson: Bristol name ex-Scotland boss as director of rugby|date=18 February 2013|work=BBC News}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21832487|title=Liam Middleton: Bristol sack head coach after internal review|date=18 March 2013|work=BBC News}}</ref>

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 (rugby union)|Matthew Morgan]], [[Ian Evans (rugby union)|Ian Evans]], [[Ryan Jones]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/26717035|title=Ryan Jones: Bristol sign Wales forward from Ospreys|date=24 March 2014|work=BBC News}}</ref> and [[Dwayne Peel]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/07/wales-dwayne-peel-bristol-sale|title=Bristol hail signing of Dwayne Peel from Sale as 'a major coup'|date=7 January 2014|work=The Guardian}}</ref> and Wing George Watkins return from [[Cardiff Blues]] mid season. Further signings for the 2014–15 season would feature [[Gareth Maule]], [[Jack O'Connell (rugby union)|Jack O'Connell]], [[Darren Hudson]] and [[Gavin Henson]].

Bristol Rugby moved from the Memorial Stadium to [[Ashton Gate Stadium]], the home of [[Bristol City F.C.|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 (rugby union)|Tommaso Benvenuti]] and Welsh international Gavin Henson. End of the season saw the departure of Forwards Coach [[Danny Wilson (rugby league)|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 (rugby union)|Nicky Robinson]] leaves the club to take up a fresh challenge in France with [[Oyonnax Rugby|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 (rugby union)|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 [[Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]] with a 60–47 aggregate win over [[Doncaster Knights|Doncaster]].

February 2016 saw the signing of Wales International scrum half [[Rhodri Williams (rugby union)|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36619796|title=Sean Holley: Bristol first-team coach leaves promoted club|date=24 May 2016|work=BBC News}}</ref> Former Welsh internationals [[Jonathan Thomas]] appointed as first team defence coach and [[Dwayne Peel]] as backs and skills coach. Further signings include USA international centre [[Thretton Palamo]] from [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] and Tongan international prop [[Soane Tongaʻuiha]] from French side [[Oyonnax Rugby|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 Mathewson]] 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 [[Harlequin F.C.|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 province [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] ahead of the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/12/05/pat-lam-leaveconnachtand-take-new-bristol-head-coach/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2016/12/05/pat-lam-leaveconnachtand-take-new-bristol-head-coach/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|publisher=Telegraph|title=Pat Lam announced as Bristol Rugby Head Coach|date=5 December 2016|access-date=25 March 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Notable signings ahead of the new season were Australian International [[Luke Morahan]] from [[Western Force]] and All Black [[Steve Luatua|Steven Luatua]] from [[Blues (Super Rugby)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/matchday-centre-jersey-reds/ |title = Report: Bristol Rugby 34-38 Jersey Reds {{!}} Bristol Bears}}</ref> Bristol finished 20 points ahead of [[Ealing Trailfinders]] and a further 15 points ahead of third placed [[Bedford Blues]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.championshiprugby.co.uk/fixtures-and-results/standings/2017-2018/|title = RFU}}</ref>  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.<ref name="Club to enter exciting new era as Bristol Bears">{{cite press release | url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/club-to-enter-exciting-new-era-as-bristol-bears/ | title=Club to enter exciting new era as Bristol Bears | publisher=Bristol Bears | date=16 April 2018 | access-date=1 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601150355/https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/club-to-enter-exciting-new-era-as-bristol-bears | archive-date=1 June 2018 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The club announced a raft of new signings including the [[All Blacks]] full back [[Charles Piutau]] from [[Ulster Rugby]], former All Blacks [[Prop (rugby union)|Prop]] [[John Afoa]] from [[Gloucester Rugby]] and [[Rugby union positions|Hooker]] [[Harry Thacker]] from [[Leicester Tigers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/who-bristol-rugbys-new-signings-1255650|title = Who are Bristol Rugby's new signings for 2018/19?|date = 23 February 2018}}</ref>

The opening match of the [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby]] season was against fierce rivals [[Bath Rugby]] at [[Ashton Gate Stadium|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 [[Ireland national rugby union team|Irish International]] [[fly half]] [[Ian Madigan]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/08/31/bristol-bears-vs-bath-gallagher-premiership-live-score-updates/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2018/08/31/bristol-bears-vs-bath-gallagher-premiership-live-score-updates/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Bristol Bears 17 Bath 10: Stirring win for Premiership new-boys on happy homecoming at Ashton Gate|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=31 August 2018|last1=Cleary|first1=Mick|last2=Morgan|first2=Charlie}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bristol finished the season in 9th place including nine victories (one over Bath, [[Harlequins Rugby|Harlequins]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP2814358|title = Bristol v Harlequins - Rugby Union}}</ref> [[Northampton Saints]], Gloucester and [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] and two over Leicester Tigers and [[Newcastle Falcons]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/match/EVP2814387|title = Bristol v Leicester Tigers - Rugby Union}}</ref>).

In [[Europe]], Bristol were drawn in Pool 4 of the [[European Challenge Cup|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 (rugby union)|Jordan Crane]] and a dogged defensive display.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/46526258 | title=Bristol win in la Rochelle boosts Euro bid | work=BBC Sport }}</ref> They finished second 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 [[Union Bordeaux Bègles|Bordeaux Bègles]], creating one of the most dangerous back three in Rugby Union, alongside Charles Piutau and [[Luke Morahan]].

===2019–Present: European success===

Bristol signed England internationals [[Nathan Hughes]] and [[Dave Attwood]] in advance of the 2019/2020 season and also [[Henry Purdy (rugby union)|Henry Purdy]] from [[Coventry Rugby Club|Coventry Rugby]] to bring a total of 15 new signings. Players released included [[Tusi Pisi]], [[Jack Lam]] and [[George Smith (rugby union)|George Smith]]. 
Bristol started their second year in the [[Gallagher Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]] with a home tie against [[Bath Rugby]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/fixtures/first-team-fixtures/2019-2020/|title = 2019-2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/report-bristol-bears-43-16-bath-rugby/|title = Report: Bristol Bears 43-16 Bath Rugby}}</ref>

The season continued with a loss to [[Harlequin F.C.]] away before a home win against [[Sale Sharks]] 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 RFC|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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.englandrugby.com/news/article/rugby-football-union-suspends-all-rugby|title=RFU}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/gallagher-premiership-rugby/league-table/|title = Gallagher Premiership Rugby Table}}</ref>

In the Challenge Cup, Bristol finished top of their group and were given a home quarter final against Welsh side [[Dragons (rugby union)|Dragons]]. Bristol ran in seven tries to win 56–17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/report-bristol-bears-56-17-dragons-rugby/|title = Report: Bristol Bears 56-17 Dragons Rugby}}</ref> This set up a home semi final against [[Union Bordeaux Bègles|Bordeaux Bègles]] which was won by the home side 37–20 after extra time.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54235229 |title = European Challenge Cup: Bristol 37-20 Bordeaux-Begles (AET) - BBC Sport|work = BBC Sport}}</ref> 
In the final they faced former European Champions, [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] at [https://www.ultimaterugby.com/stadium/results/2698 Stade Maurice David] in Aix-en-Provence. Bristol scored the fastest try in European Rugby final<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/bristol-vs-toulon/96875|title = Bristol 32-19 Toulon: Bristol win first Challenge Cup trophy}}</ref> after just 15 second through a try from scrum half [[Harry Randall (rugby union)|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<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epcrugby.com/report/blistering-bristol-bears-dominate-second-half-to-clinch-maiden-challenge-cup-crown/#report|title = Blistering Bristol Bears dominate second half to clinch maiden Challenge Cup crown}}</ref>

In September 2023 the club’s new away kit incorporated a stylised image of ''[[Ursa the Bear|Ursa]]'', a sculpture formerly located in the [[The Bearpit, Bristol|Bearpit]], linking the kit to a piece of Bristol public art.<ref name="UrsaStrip2">{{cite web |date=6 September 2023 |title=The story of the strip: Ursa the Bear! |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/bristol-bears-men/the-story-of-the-strip-ursa-the-bear/ |access-date=27 May 2025 |website=Bristol Bears}}</ref>

In December 2024, Bristol won 54–24 away to [[Leicester Tigers]] earning a record-breaking tenth consecutive away win the [[Premiership Rugby|Premiership]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Bristol claim record away win at Leicester. |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c1lnejr8g03o |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref> The following match they lost 0–38 at home to Sale Sharks, the first time since September 2016 that they had not scored a point in a Premiership fixture.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sale emphatically demolish in-form Bristol 38-0 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cn4xd99nwreo |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=27 December 2024}}</ref>

==Season summaries==

{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; width:100%;"
|-
! colspan="1" | 
! colspan="5" | League
! colspan="2" | Domestic Cup
! colspan="2" | European Cup
! colspan="" | 
|-
! style="text-align:center; width:8%;"|Season
! style="text-align:center; width:24%;"|Competition
! style="text-align:center; width:6%;"|Final Position
! style="text-align:center; width:6%;"|Points
! style="text-align:center; width:6%;"|Diff
! style="text-align:center; width:10%;"| Play-Offs
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|Competition
! style="text-align:center; width:8%;"|Performance
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|Competition
! style="text-align:center; width:8%;"|Performance
! style="text-align:center; width:15%;"|Director of Rugby
|-
| 1987–88
| [[1987–88 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 9th
| 23
| +26
| N/A
| style="background: silver"|''[[1987–88 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]''
| style="background: silver"|''Runners-up''
| rowspan=8| No competition
| rowspan=8| N/A
|[[Bob Hesford (rugby union)|Bob Hesford]]
|-
| 1988–89
| [[1988–89 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 7th
| 12
| +71
| N/A
| [[1988–89 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|[[Bob Hesford (rugby union)|Bob Hesford]]
|-
| 1989–90
| [[1989–90 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 9th
| 8
| -8
| N/A
| [[1989–90 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|[[Colin McFadyean]]
|-
| 1990–91
| [[1990–91 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 11th
| 9
| -84
| N/A
| [[1990–91 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 4th round
| Rob Cunningham
|-
| 1991–92
| [[1991–92 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 10th
| 8
| +18
| N/A
| [[1991–92 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| Rob Cunningham
|-
| 1992–93
| [[1992–93 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 6th
| 12
| -21
| N/A
| [[1992–93 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 3rd round
|[[Brian Hanlon (rugby union)|Brian Hanlon]]
|-
| 1993–94
| [[1993–94 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 4th
| 20
| +55
| N/A
| [[1993–94 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 5th round
|[[Brian Hanlon (rugby union)|Brian Hanlon]]
|-
| 1994–95
| [[1994–95 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 6th
| 14
| -52
| N/A
| [[1994–95 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 5th round
|[[Brian Hanlon (rugby union)|Brian Hanlon]]
|-
| 1995–96
| [[1995–96 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 6th
| 16
| -92
| N/A
| [[1995–96 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| No English teams
| N/A
|[[Alan Davies (rugby coach)|Alan Davies]]
|-
| 1996–97
| [[1996–97 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 9th
| 17
| -193
| N/A
| [[1996–97 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 5th round
| [[1996–97 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| 5th in pool
| [[Darryl Jones (rugby union)|Darryl Jones]]
|-
| rowspan=2| 1997–98
| rowspan=2 style="background: pink"|[[1997–98 Premiership Rugby|Allied Dunbar Premiership]]
| rowspan=2 style="background: pink"|12th '''(R)'''
| rowspan=2 style="background: pink"|4
| rowspan=2 style="background: pink"|-382
| rowspan=2| N/A
| [[1997–98 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| 4th round
| rowspan=2| [[1997–98 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| rowspan=2| 2nd in pool
| rowspan=2| [[Darryl Jones (rugby union)|Darryl Jones]]
|-
| C&G Cup
| Not known
|-
| rowspan=2| 1998–99
| rowspan=2 style="background: gold"|'''[[1998–99 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two|Allied Dunbar Premiership 2]]'''
| rowspan=2 style="background: gold"|'''1st (P)'''
| rowspan=2 style="background: gold"|'''44'''
| rowspan=2 style="background: gold"|'''+430'''
| rowspan=2| N/A
| [[1998–99 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| 4th round
| rowspan=2| No English teams
| rowspan=2| N/A
| rowspan=2| [[Bob Dwyer]]
|-
| C&G Cup
| 2nd round
|-
| 1999–00
| [[1999–2000 Premiership Rugby|Allied Dunbar Premiership]]
| 6th
| 34
| +30
| N/A
| [[1999–2000 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| Semi-final
| [[1999–2000 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Semi-final
|[[Bob Dwyer]]
|-
| 2000–01
| [[2000–01 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]
| 9th
| 44
| -49
| N/A
| [[2000–2001 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| 5th round
| [[2000–01 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|[[Dean Ryan]]
|-
| 2001–02
| [[2001–02 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]
| 8th
| 50
| -41
| N/A
| [[2001–02 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| [[2001–02 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|[[Dean Ryan]]
|-
| 2002–03
| style="background: pink"|[[2002–03 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]
| style="background: pink"|12th '''(R)'''
| style="background: pink"|36
| style="background: pink"|-129
| [[2002–03 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| [[2002–03 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[Peter Thorburn]]
|-
| rowspan=2| 2003–04
| rowspan=2| [[2003–04 National Division One|National Division 1]]
| rowspan=2| 9th
| rowspan=2| 51
| rowspan=2| -103
| rowspan=2| N/A
| [[2003–04 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| rowspan=2| Not qualified
| rowspan=2| N/A
| rowspan=2|[[Richard Hill (rugby union, born 1961)|Richard Hill]]
|-
| style="background: gold"|'''[[Powergen Shield]]'''
| style="background: gold"|'''Champions'''
|-
| 2004–05
| style="background: gold"|'''[[2004–05 National Division One|National Division 1]]'''
| style="background: gold"|'''1st (P)'''
| style="background: gold"|'''105'''
| style="background: gold"|'''+585'''
| N/A
| [[2004–05 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| Not qualified
| N/A
|[[Richard Hill (rugby union, born 1961)|Richard Hill]]
|-
| 2005–06
| [[2005–06 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 11th
| 41
| -52
| -
| [[2005–06 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2005–06 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|[[Richard Hill (rugby union, born 1961)|Richard Hill]]
|-
| 2006–07
| [[2006–07 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 64
| +4
| Semi-final
| [[2006–07 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2006–07 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|[[Richard Hill (rugby union, born 1961)|Richard Hill]]
|-
| 2007–08
| [[2007–08 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 9th
| 37
| -80
| -
| [[2007–08 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2007–08 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|[[Richard Hill (rugby union, born 1961)|Richard Hill]]
|-
| 2008–09
| style="background: pink"|[[2008–09 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| style="background: pink"|12th '''(R)'''
| style="background: pink"|17
| style="background: pink"|-338

| -
| [[2008–09 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2008–09 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
|[[Paul Hull]]
|-
| 2009–10
| style="background: silver"|''[[2009–10 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]''
| style="background: silver" |'''1st'''
| style="background: silver" |'''92'''
| style="background: silver" |'''+293'''
| style="background: silver" | ''Runners-up''
| [[2009–10 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| Not qualified
| N/A
|[[Paul Hull]]
|-
| 2010–11
| [[2010–11 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]
| 8th
| 41
| -72
| -
| style="background: gold"|'''[[2010–11 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]'''
| style="background: gold"|'''Champions'''
| Not qualified
| N/A
|[[Paul Hull]]
|-
| 2011–12
|[[2011–12 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]
| 1st
| 81
| +229
| Semi-final
| [[2011–12 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| Not qualified
| N/A
|[[Liam Middleton]]
|-
| 2012–13
| [[2012–13 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]
| 5th
| 65
| +43
| -
| [[2012–13 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| Not qualified
| N/A
|[[Liam Middleton]]
|-
| 2013–14
| style="background: silver"|''[[2013–14 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]''
| style="background: silver"|'''1st'''
| style="background: silver"|'''96'''
| style="background: silver"|'''+281'''
| style="background: silver" | ''Runners-up''
| [[2013–14 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| Semi-final
| Not qualified
| N/A
| [[Andy Robinson]]
|-
| 2014–15
| style="background: silver"|''[[2014–15 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]''
| style="background: silver"|'''1st'''
| style="background: silver"|'''103'''
| style="background: silver"|'''+375'''
| style="background: silver" | ''Runners-up''
| [[2014–15 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| Semi-final
| Not qualified
| N/A
| [[Andy Robinson]]
|-
| 2015–16
| style="background: gold"|'''[[2015–16 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]'''
| style="background: gold"|'''1st (P)'''
| style="background: gold"|'''95'''
| style="background: gold"|'''+321'''
| style="background: gold"|'''Champions'''
| [[2015–16 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| Not qualified
| N/A
| [[Andy Robinson]]
|-
| 2016–17
| style="background: pink"|[[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| style="background: pink"|12th '''(R)'''
| style="background: pink"|20
| style="background: pink"|-325
| -
| [[2016–17 Anglo-Welsh Cup|Anglo-Welsh Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2016–17 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| Mark Tainton
|-
| 2017–18
| style="background: gold"|'''[[2017–18 RFU Championship|RFU Championship]]'''
| style="background: gold"|'''1st (P)'''
| style="background: gold"|'''103'''
| style="background: gold"|'''+532'''
| -
| [[2017–18 British and Irish Cup|British and Irish Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| Not qualified
| N/A
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| 2018–19
| [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 9th
| 51
| -77
| -
| [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[2018–19 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| [[2019–20 Bristol Bears season|2019-20]]
| [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 69
| +104
| Semi-final
| [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| style="background: gold"|'''[[2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]'''
| style="background: gold"|'''Champions'''
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| [[2020–21 Bristol Bears season|2020-21]]
| [[2020–21 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 1st
| 85
| +182
| Semi-final
| no competition
| n/a
| [[2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Round of 16
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| [[2021-22 Bristol Bears season|2021-22]]
| [[2021-22 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 10th
| 48
| -145
| -
| [[2021-22 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2021-22 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Round of 16
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| [[2022-23 Bristol Bears season|2022-23]]
| [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 9th
| 47
| -21
| -
| [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2022–23 EPCR Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Round of 16
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| [[2023–24 Bristol Bears season|2023–24]]
| [[2023–24 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 5th
| 54
| +144
| -
| [[2023–24 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2023-24 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| 6th in Pool
| [[Pat Lam]]
|-
| [[2024-25 Bristol Bears season|2024-25]]
| [[2023–24 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 4th
| 58
| +55
| Semi-final
| [[2024-25 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[2024-25 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| 6th in Pool
| [[Pat Lam]]
|}

<small><span style="background:gold">Gold background</span> denotes champions<br /><span style="background:silver">Silver background</span> denotes runners-up<br /><span style="background:pink">Pink background</span> denotes relegated</small>

==Club honours==

===Bristol Bears===
*[[European Challenge Cup]]
** Champions: (1) [[2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup|2019–20]]
*[[RFU Championship]]
**Champions: (4) [[1998–99 Allied Dunbar Premiership Two|1998–99]], [[2004–05 National Division One|2004–05]], [[2015–16 RFU Championship|2015–16]], [[2017–18 RFU Championship|2017–18]]
*[[RFU Knockout Cup]]
**Champions: (1) [[1982–83 John Player Cup|1982–83]]
**Runners–Up: (3) [[1972–73 John Player Cup|1972–73]], [[1983–84 John Player Cup|1983–84]], [[1987–88 John Player Cup|1987–88]]
*[[British and Irish Cup]]
**Champions: (1) [[2010–11 British and Irish Cup|2010–11]]
*[[EDF Energy Trophy]]
**Champions: (1) [[EDF Energy Trophy|2003–04]] actually called Powergen Shield
*Anglo-Welsh Merit Table Winners
**Champions: (3) 1965–66, 1971–72, 1973–74
*RFU South West Merit Table Winners
**Champions: (3) 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82

==Current squad==
{{for|player movements before or during the [[2025-26 Premiership Rugby|2025–26 season]]|List of 2025–26 Premiership Rugby transfers#Bristol Bears}}

===Senior squad===
The Bristol Bears squad for the [[2025–26 Premiership Rugby|2025–26 season]] is:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Men's First Team |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/match-centre/teams/bristol-bears/players/ |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Baber |first=Andy |date=2025-05-28 |title=Bears confirm 2025/26 squad |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/news/bears-confirm-2025-26-squad/ |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

{{rugby squad start}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=[[Will Capon]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name='''[[Gabriel Oghre]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=[[Harry Thacker]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=Zimbabwe | pos=PR | name=[[Lovejoy Chawatama]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name='''[[Ellis Genge]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Sam Grahamslaw]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[George Kloska]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Max Lahiff]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Jake Woolmore]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Steele Barker]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Joe Batley]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[James Dun]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Joe Owen (rugby union)|Joe Owen]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Will Ramply]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=LK | name='''[[Pedro Rubiolo]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Kofi Cripps]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=BR | name='''[[Benjamín Grondona]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=BR | name='''[[Santiago Grondona]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=GEO | pos=BR | name='''[[Luka Ivanishvili]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Fitz Harding]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=SAM | pos=BR | name='''[[Steven Luatua]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=BR | name='''[[Viliame Mata]]'''}}
{{rugby squad mid}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=IRE | pos=SH | name='''[[Kieran Marmion]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=[[Max Pepper]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name='''[[Harry Randall (rugby union)|Harry Randall]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=SH | name=[[Sam Wolstenholme (rugby union)|Sam Wolstenholme]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=SCO | pos=FH | name='''[[Tom Jordan (rugby union)|Tom Jordan]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=USA | pos=FH | name='''[[AJ MacGinty]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=[[Sam Worsley]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=CE | name=[[Joe Jenkins (rugby union)|Joe Jenkins]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=CE | name='''[[Matias Moroni]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=RSA | pos=CE | name=[[Benhard Janse van Rensburg]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=FIJ | pos=CE | name='''[[Kalaveti Ravouvou]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[James Williams (rugby union)|James Williams]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=[[Jack Bates]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=[[Gabriel Ibitoye]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=WG | name='''[[Louis Rees-Zammit]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=WG | name=[[Aidan Boshoff]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=FB | name=[[Josh Carrington]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ARG | pos=FB | name='''[[Benjamín Elizalde]]'''}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=[[Noah Heward]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=[[Richard Lane (rugby union)|Rich Lane]]}}
{{rugby squad end}}

{{notelist}}

===Academy squad===
The Bristol Bears Academy squad is:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Senior Academy Squad |url=https://www.bristolbearsrugby.com/teams/senior-academy-squad/ |access-date=2024-11-18 |website=Bristol Bears Rugby |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

{{rugby squad start}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=HK | name=[[Tomas Gwilliam]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=HK | name=[[Kieran Hill]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=PR | name=[[Louie Trevett (rugby union)|Louie Trevett]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=PR | name=[[Jimmy Halliwell (rugby union)|Jimmy Halliwell]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=SCO | pos=PR | name=[[Will Pearce (rugby union)|Will Pearce]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=PR | name=[[Sam Scott (rugby union)|Sam Scott]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=PR | name=[[George Leyland]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[George Taylor (rugby union, born 2002)|George Taylor]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=LK | name=[[Kenzie Jenkins (rugby union)|Kenzie Jenkins]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=LK | name=[[Ethan Surrey]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=LK | name=[[Osian Williams]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[John Edwards (rugby union)|John Edwards]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=BR | name=[[Paddy Pearce (rugby union)|Paddy Pearce]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=FRA | pos=BR | name=[[Arthur Guyot]]}}
{{rugby squad mid}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=SH | name=[[Cai Gealy]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=[[Raff Weston]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[Toby Baker (rugby union)|Toby Baker]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=CE | name=[[Victor Worsnip]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=WG | name=[[Jeke Bulanauca]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=WAL | pos=FB | name=[[Evan Morris (rugby union)|Evan Morris]]}}
{{rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FB | name=[[Ollie Harris]]}}
{{rugby squad end}}

==Club staff==

'''Management'''

*Owner – [[Stephen Lansdown]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Godwin|first1=Hugh|title=Bristol Rugby's billionaire owner on what the team can learn from football |date=9 September 2016|url=https://inews.co.uk/essentials/sport/rugby-union/bristol-rugbys-billionaire-owner-team-can-learn-football/|publisher=iNews|access-date=2 October 2017}}</ref>
*Chairman – Chris Booy<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cotton|first1=Steve|title=Bristol Rugby chairman Chris Booy: Relegation would not derail our ambitious long-term plans|url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/bristol-rugby-chairman-chris-booy-6424|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Bristol Post|date=6 March 2017}}</ref>
*Chief Operating Officer – Tom Tainton<ref>{{cite web|title=Tom Tainton|url=https://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/team/operational-staff/tom-tainton/|publisher=Bristol Rugby|access-date=2 October 2017}}</ref>

'''First team coaching'''

*Director of rugby – [[Pat Lam]]
*Forwards Coach  – [[Mark Irish]]
*Senior Backs & Skills Coach – [[Dave Walder]]
*Defence Coach - [[Jordan Crane (rugby union)|Jordan Crane]]
*Assistant Forwards Coach - [[Chris Morgan (rugby union)|Chris Morgan]]
*Assistant Backs & Skills Coach – [[Sean Marsden]]
*Kicking Coach - [[Dave Alred]]
*Mental Skills Coach - [[Tom Bates(rugby union)|Tom Bates]]
*Head of Athletic Performance – [[Kevin Geary (rugby union)|Kevin Geary]]

'''Academy'''

*Senior academy manager – [[Gethin Watts]]
*Junior academy manager – [[Gary Townsend]]
*Academy transition coach – [[Danny Grewcock]]
*Academy transition coach – [[Glen Townson]]
*Senior Academy Coach - [[Brad Barnes (rugby union)|Brad Barnes]]
*Junior Academy Coach - [[Keith Leaker]]

'''Bristol Bears Women'''

*Head coach - Dave Ward
*Assistant coach - Tom Luke

==Head Coaches/Directors of Rugby==
{| class="wikitable"
!Years
!Name
!Achievements
|-
|1980–1984
|David Tyler<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hewett|first1=Chris|title=Tyler's early passing leaves huge void in world of rugby|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/tylers-early-passing-leaves-huge-void-in-world-of-rugby-114344.html|access-date=2 October 2017|work=Independent|date=8 April 2003}}</ref>
|
*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 (rugby union)|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 (rugby coach)|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 (rugby union, born 1961)|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
*Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finalists 2020/21
*Gallagher Premiership Semi-Finalists 2024/25

|}

==Notable and former players==
{{further|:Category:Bristol Bears players}}

=== Lions tourists ===
The following Bristol players have been selected for the [[British & Irish Lions|Lions tours]] while at the club:

* [[Wallace Jarman]] ([[1899 British Lions tour to Australia|1899]])
* [[Percy Down]] ([[1908 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia|1908]])
* [[Maurice Neale|Maurice Edward Neale]] ([[1910 British Lions tour to South Africa|1910 Tour to South Africa]])
* [[Jack Spoors]] ([[1910 British Lions tour to South Africa|1910 Tour to South Africa]])
* [[Tom Richards (rugby union, born 1882)|Tom Richards]]  ([[1910 British Lions tour to South Africa|1910 Tour to South Africa]])
* [[John Pullin]] ([[1968 British Lions tour to South Africa|1968]] & [[1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia|1971]])
* [[Alan Morley]] ([[1974 British Lions tour to South Africa|1974]])
* [[Mark Regan]] ([[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]] & [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]])
* [[Simon Shaw]] ([[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]])
* [[Kyle Sinckler]] ([[2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2021]])
* [[Ellis Genge]] ([[2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2025]])

=== Rugby World Cup ===
The following are players which have represented their countries at the [[Rugby World Cup]] whilst playing for Bristol:
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
!Tournament
!Players selected
!{{nrut|England}} players
!Other national team players
|-
|[[1987 Rugby World Cup|1987]]
|2
|[[Richard Harding (rugby union)|Richard Harding]], [[Jonathan Webb]]
|
|-
|[[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]]
|0
|
|
|-
|[[1995 Rugby World Cup|1995]]
|1
|[[Kyran Bracken]]
|
|-
|[[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]
|8
|[[Garath Archer]], [[Kyran Bracken]], [[David Rees (rugby union, born 1974)|David Rees]]
|[[Jamie Mayer]] {{flagicon|SCO}}, [[Pablo Lemoine]] {{flagicon|URU}}, [[Al Charron]] (vc) {{flagicon|CAN}}, [[Agustín Pichot]], [[Eduardo Simone]] {{flagicon|ARG}} 
|-
|[[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]
|1
|
|[[Ross Beattie]] {{flagicon|SCO}}
|-
|[[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]]
|5
|[[Mark Regan]], [[Shaun Perry]]
|[[Alfie To'oala]], [[David Lemi]] {{flagicon|SAM}}, [[Marko Stanojevic]] {{flagicon|ITA}}
|-
|[[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]]
|1
|
|[[William Helu]] {{flagicon|TON}}
|-
|[[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015]]
|4
|
|[[Matthew Morgan (rugby union)|Matthew Morgan]] {{flagicon|WAL}}, [[Anthony Perenise]], [[Jack Lam]] {{flagicon|SAM}}, [[Tommaso Benvenuti (rugby union)|Tommaso Benvenuti]] {{flagicon|ITA}}
|-
|[[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]]
|5
|
|[[James Lay]], [[Jordan Lay]], [[Chris Vui]], [[Alapati Leiua]] {{flagicon|SAM}}, [[Siale Piutau]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) {{flagicon|TON}}
|-
|[[2023 Rugby World Cup|2023]]
|7
|[[Ellis Genge]] (vc), [[Kyle Sinckler]], [[Max Malins]]
|[[Kalaveti Ravouvou]] {{flagicon|FIJ}}, [[Santiago Grondona]] {{flagicon|ARG}}, [[Chris Vui]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]), [[Steve Luatua]] {{flagicon|SAM}}
|}

== Archives ==
Records relating to Bristol Rugby Club are held at [[Bristol Archives]] (Ref. 41582) ([http://archives.bristol.gov.uk/TreeBrowse.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&field=RefNo&key=41582 online catalogue]) and (Ref. 44624) ([http://archives.bristol.gov.uk/TreeBrowse.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&field=RefNo&key=44624 online catalogue]).

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{subject bar|auto=y|d=y|United Kingdom|Sport}}
* {{official website}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20210803003520/http://www.brist.org.uk/ Bristol Rugby Independent Supporters' Trust]}}
* [http://www.bristolrugby.net Independent Bristol Rugby Online]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20091027055619/http://geocities.com/bristol_rugby_1888 Bristol Rugby Web Site Directory]
* [http://www.premiershiprugby.com Premiership Rugby Official Website]

{{Bristol Bears squad}}
{{English Premiership (rugby union)}}
{{European Rugby Challenge Cup}}
{{Original Courage League 1 clubs}}

[[Category:Bristol Bears| ]]
[[Category:Premiership Rugby teams]]
[[Category:Rugby union teams in England]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1888]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Bristol]]
[[Category:Sports clubs and teams in Bristol]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in England]]