Bristol Bears Women have confirmed the signing of England prop Hannah Botterman from Saracens. The Red Roses star heads to Ashton Gate after six years with Sarries, and is part of four new arrivals for the Bears.
Bristol have also agreed deals for Meg Varley from Worcester, and the Edinburgh University duo of Meryl Smith and Ellian Clarke. Botterman is a marquee signing for the Bears, and is a three time champion of the top flight for English Women’s club rugby.
Botterman joined Saracens in 2017, and went on to win back-to-back Premier 15s titles in the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons. The 24-year-old followed this up with 2021/22 league title, racking up an impressive run of silverware at the North London club.
Botterman has also made 35 caps for England, after making her debut in 2017 against Canada. Botterman has won the Women’s Six Nations on five back-to-back occasions, from 2019 to the latest triumph in 2023. The prop was also an integral part of the Red Roses side that reached the Rugby World Cup Final last year.
“Hannah is one of the standout looseheads in world rugby,” said Bristol head coach Dave Ward to the Bristol Bears website.
“Her ball-carrying ability and work at the breakdown is some of the best in the game and we are thrilled she has decided to join us at Bears.
“She has already won multiple Premier 15s titles and that experience will be invaluable as we continue to build a team to win the league.”
Botterman said: “I’m really excited. Having watched the Bears since Dave (Ward) has come in, the style of rugby is really exciting and I’m looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into it.
“The facilities are second to none, comfortably the best in the league, so it’s a great place for me to grow as a player.”