Bristol confirm yet another departure, joins Premiership rival

The 27-year-old centre, who played ten first team games for Sharks in his first spell at the club, has signed a long-term contract to join younger brother Joe in Alex Sanderson’s squad.

Boyhood Sale fan Sam originally joined Sharks as a 17-year-old after leaving Myerscough College.

He progressed through the club’s academy programme and after a loan spell at Fylde, made his debut in a Challenge Cup fixture at Welsh side the Dragons.

He joined Bristol Bears in 2017, signed his first senior contract two years later and has since gone on to make more than 60 appearances for Pat Lam’s team.

Sam said: “I’m so excited to be coming back up north to be close to my family and to play for the club I supported and watched as a kid.

“The club has changed a lot since I was here before but I know so many of the coaches and some of the players too. I’ve heard really great things about Alex and it’s obviously a club that’s on the way up.

“It’ll be brilliant to be playing with my brother Joe too. I know when I was coming through the academy I looked up to the senior players as role models. Hopefully I can do that for Joe and some of the other fantastic young players at the club too.

“I’m fully focused on ending the season well with Bristol, but I can’t wait to get started at Sale.”

Sharks Director of Rugby Alex said: “Sam left here as a highly-rated young player but he’s coming back as someone who we believe has increased his skillset, matured and become one of the top performing centres in the Premiership.

“He’s a big guy but he can play 10, 12 or 13 and he’s a real triple threat – he can run, kick and pass. He’s a great lad and a fantastic communicator and he’s only 27. I really think the best is yet to come from him.

“His family is up here and his brother is at the club and he’s coming back here for all the right reasons. He can see where the club is going and he knows it’s a club where good, northern players know they can progress their careers and be a part of building something special.

“This is right for him for all the right reasons, and it’s right for us for all the right reasons.”

Due to the constraints of the salary cap, they'll have to let a number of stars leave the club in a bid to refresh the squad.

Following the departure of Joshua Tuisova at Racing 92 next season, Lyon wanted a high-level replacement.

According to reports in France, Radradra has accepted an offer of around £500,000 per season for two years.

A total agreement was found between the two parties. A pre-contract has been signed, which means after four seasons in England in Bristol, the Fijian X factor will return to the Top 14.

The scrum-half will join Harlequins at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, the club can confirm.

Porter joined Bristol Bears from Wasps in October as a medical dispensation for Harry Randall until the end of the season, making seven appearances so far.

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “It’s been great to work with a player of Will’s calibre, especially during the long-term injury to Rands (Harry Randall).

“He’s contributed really well to the group on and off the field during his short time here and I know he will continue to do so until the end of the season.

“Will’s family and partner are based in London, so we are pleased he has an opportunity to finally return home and we wish him well for his journey ahead.”

The 28 year old will make the move to Connacht after he completes his 11th season at the Gallagher Premiership club, where he has already made more than 150 appearances, including helping his side to win the EPCR Challenge Cup title in 2020.

 
In 2017/2018 Joyce was named the Bristol Bears Player of the Season, when he played a leading role in his hometown club’s promotion back to the top flight.
 
While Joyce has consistently been one of the Bears’ best performers over the last number of years, the 2021/22 season has arguably been his best yet. Acting as Captain for parts of the campaign, Joyce’s huge contribution both on and off the pitch was recognised when he was named the club’s Forward of the Season, Team Man of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season.
 
In addition to his outstanding personal achievements with his club, Joyce was also shortlisted for the Gallagher Community Player of the Season award, in recognition of his community engagement efforts with local charities and programmes

With the reduced salary cap restrictions coming into effect, it looks highly likely that the highest paid player in the Gallagher Premiership will be moving on when his contract expires at the end of the season. 

Piutau was the best fullback in the world in his prime. But the former All Black and current Tonga international, who has been at Ashton Gate for four years, is no longer as exciting as he used to be. 

Becoming the leagues first £1m per season player when he joined the club, the Bears are paying an awful lot of money for a player who is no longer best in class.

The fly-half is believed to be out of contract this summer, meaning he will have to move to a Welsh club to ensure he can continue to play international rugby.

Following an impressive 2019/20 campaign, Sheedy was called up to the Wales squad for the Autumn Nations Cup and made his debut against Ireland in Dublin in November 2020.

Sheedy joined the Bristol Bears ahead of the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship campaign and scored 22 points in a stunning display in the play-off final to help Bristol achieve promotion.

Previously captain of a Millfield School side that have enjoyed considerable success during his tenure as skipper, Sheedy is one of the most promising young fly-halves in the UK.