#7. Josh Caulfield (London Irish)
Bristol Bears have confirmed the signing of former London Irish lock Josh Caulfield, ahead of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season.
Caulfield heads back to his homeland in the West Country, having grown up plying his trade for the Taunton Titans in Somerset. The 26-year-old also made over a century of caps for Cornish Pirates, and later joined Exeter Chiefs, starring across the RFU Championship and Gallagher Premiership.
Caulfield took his first steps outside of the South West with a loan move to Wasps in 2020. It is great to see his future remain in the English top flight, after he became a free agent following the financial collapse of London Irish. Caulfield presents great versatility in the pack, as he has previously starred across the flanks in the back-row.
An exciting asset to the Bristol Bears pack, the second rower will join up with the Bears for pre-season.
Bristol Head Coach Pat Lam is excited to have Caulfield on board. Speaking to the Bristol Bears website, Lam said: “Josh is a local lad with a great attitude and desire to improve, so we’re pleased to be able to bolster our second-row ranks and add even more competition for places.
“He is hard-working, versatile and has good experience in the Championship and Premiership, so we’re pleased to welcome him to the Bears family.”
Confirmed Bristol Bears leavers list:
Joe Joyce (163 apps)
Andy Uren (157 apps),
Ioan Lloyd (79 apps)
Jack Lloyd
Charles Piutau (79 apps)
Sam Bedlow (62 apps)
Sam Jeffries (61 apps)
Semi Radradra (52 apps)
Henry Purdy (48 apps)
John Hawkins (45 apps)
Bryan Byrne (44 apps)
Toby Fricker (32 apps)
Jake Kerr (29 apps)
Pete Carter
Sam Lewis (9 apps)
Will Porter (7 apps)
Morgan Eames
Rhys Charalambous
Martin Mulhall
Tom Wilstead
