Statement: Bristol Bears confirm five departures, list includes record-breaking winger

The list includes record-breaking youngsters, England internationals and a club legend who has played more than 100 times for the club.

The club have moved to add to their squad already with powerhouse prop Lovejoy Chawatama and Viliame Mata set to arrive at the club this summer

Check out the five players set to depart below.

Following two season at Ashton Gate, he will depart Bristol Bears at the conclusion of the season to return home to Scottish URC side Edinburgh, the club can confirm.

The Scotland international number eight has made 42 appearances for the club during his two seasons in the West Country and will make the switch to his hometown club ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Magnus has made a massive contribution on and off the field during his two seasons here, which includes winning the prestigious Players’ Player of the Year award last season. He has also been an excellent team man on and off the field and he can be very proud of his impact at the Bears.

“Magnus maintains a desire to represent his country and his return to Scotland will certainly help him to achieve his ambitions.  We wish him and Eve all the very best with the move and for the future. I know along with the rest of the squad Maggie is determined to make this season a big success before he leaves.”

The 30-year-old is set to depart the club after four years as the current Gallagher Premiership Rugby season wraps up.

This move also signifies the conclusion of his aspirations to increase his 68 England caps, as per RFU regulations barring overseas-based players from national team selection.

Having last represented England at the Rugby World Cup, his absence from the Six Nations squad under head coach Steve Borthwick underscored this decision.

Since his transfer from Harlequins in 2020, he has been a stalwart in Bristol's ranks, accumulating over 50 appearances and contributing significantly to the club's historic European triumph.

heedy will depart the club at the end of the season to join Welsh URC side Cardiff Rugby, after ten years and more than 160 appearances for the club.

Fly-half Sheedy joined the Academy in 2014 before graduating to the first team squad and going on to make his international debut for Wales in 2020, winning 16 caps so far.

The 28-year-old has scored over 1000 points for Bristol during his ten seasons and close to 200 appearances in the West Country, making him the club’s sixth highest points scorer of all time.

Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Callum leaves as one of Bristol’s modern greats – the club’s leading Premiership points scorer and a vital part of the club’s success and growth over the past decade.

“His move back home to Cardiff, where he was born and grew up, ensures he remains eligible for the national side as he bids to win more caps for Wales, following the conclusion of his Bristol contract.

“It has truly been a blessing for me to work with Callum these last seven years – to see him work his way from fourth choice fly half to first choice for the Bears and then being rewarded for his performances by being capped for Wales is definitely a highlight.

“While he has been a special player for us, he’s been an even better team man that we all love and will miss. Callum and his partner Charlotte depart with our blessing and best wishes for the future, which I know will be hugely successful for both of them on and off the field.”

The Wales Under-18s star left Cardiff's pathway system at the end of last season to take up a scholarship with Clifton College and link up with Bristol Bears.

But in another boost for the club, Bowen will return to the Arms Park to continue his progression in Blue and Black, highlighting the club’s track record of producing and developing talent. 

Gruff Rees said: “Tom Bowen coming back to Cardiff Rugby is another major statement that we want the best young Welsh talent, notably those who are local and have represented schools, clubs and RAG sides through the pathway, achieving their professional goals at the Arms Park. 

“We are proud of the wider pathway but this also highlights how we will always engage and maintain close relations with those who have taken opportunities such as Tom did with Clifton and representing the Bears. 

“Aled James our Talent and Pathway Manager, has been instrumental in this process working diligently in the background and supporting our succession planning at academy level through to the seniors as well as our close relations with Matt Sherratt and the coaches. 

“Tom is another fine character and as diligent a young professional as I have seen, I have no doubt he will flourish around our environment.

Bears have confirmed the immediate release of 24-year-old winger Charlie Powell who came through the club's academy system but has failed to break his way into the club's first team on a regular basis. 

The former Bristol Grammar School and Thornbury Castle School pupil got tipped as one to watch as a teenager after he became the youngest player to represent Bristol in European competition, at the time, when he came off the bench against Zebre aged just 18 years and 356 days, back in 2018.

Powell has since lost that record to Welsh international Ioan Lloyd who made his European bow aged 18 years and 228 days, but the achievement will never be taken away from him.