Bristol Bears will pay tribute to 11 players who will leave the club at the end of the 2024/25 campaign, as fans are invited to show their appreciation following the round 18 fixture against Harlequins at Ashton Gate on Saturday, May 31st.
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Among the leavers is club centurion Yann Thomas, who bows out after seven seasons and 129 appearances for his hometown team. A product of Ashton Park School and Nailsea & Backwell RFC, Thomas has enjoyed a remarkable 16-year career, tallying over 200 top-level appearances across domestic and European competitions.
Joining him in departure is fellow centurion Jake Heenan. The influential back row forward made 122 appearances for the Bears after arriving from Connacht in 2018. The 33-year-old now returns to New Zealand to join his hometown province, Northland.
Explosive winger Siva Naulago also exits after five seasons in Bears colours. Known for his blistering pace and finishing prowess, the Fijian scored 21 tries in 45 appearances, including a memorable solo effort against London Irish that earned him the 2020/21 Premiership Try of the Season.
Full-back Max Malins returns to his boyhood club, Saracens. In two stints with the Bears, Malins made 36 appearances and crossed the whitewash 28 times, including several key moments during the club’s European Cup success.
Also departing from the senior squad are Josh Caulfield (36 appearances), Deago Bailey (19), and Sam Edwards (4).
From the Senior Academy, Harry Rowson (12), Andrew Turner (11), Aaron Tull (8), and Jacob Cusick (2) also move on.
Meanwhile, Harry Byrne concludes his six-month loan from Leinster and returns to the Irish province.
Director of Rugby Pat Lam paid tribute:
“This time of year is always emotional as we say farewell to some great people who have given so much to the Bears family.
We thank every one of them for their commitment to our vision and their contributions on and off the field. They leave as part of the Bears legacy. Once a Bear, always a Bear.”
As in previous years, players will be honoured internally this week and officially recognised by supporters post-match on Saturday with presentations at Ashton Gate.
? Departing Players – 2024/25 Season
Senior Squad:
Senior Squad:
- Yann Thomas (129 apps)
- Jake Heenan (122 apps)
- Siva Naulago (45 apps)
- Max Malins (36 apps)
- Josh Caulfield (36 apps)
- Deago Bailey (19 apps)
- Sam Edwards (4 apps)
Senior Academy:
- Harry Rowson (12 apps)
- Andrew Turner (11 apps)
- Aaron Tull (8 apps)
- Jacob Cusick (2 apps)
Loan Return:
- Harry Byrne (Leinster)
British & Irish Lions Predicted Lineup: Odds for Starting XV vs Wallabies
The Lions are coming. With Andy Farrell at the helm and a squad packed with stars from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia is shaping up to be unmissable.
? Tour Overview
From June to August 2025, the Lions will take on:
- A three-Test series against the Wallabies
- All four Aussie Super Rugby franchises
- A unique clash with an AU & NZ Invitational XV
- A historic fixture vs a First Nations & Pasifika XV
- And for the first time ever — a match in Ireland, against Argentina at the Aviva Stadium
Originally slated to face the Melbourne Rebels, that mid-tour slot was reworked after the Rebels disbanded in 2024.
? Odds-On Whitewash?
The Lions are favourites — but a 3-0 series sweep over the Wallabies?
? Lions to win the Test series 3-0: 9/4
(Odds correct at the time of writing; subject to change)
? Predicted Lions Starting XV – Based on Betting Odds
This isn’t our dream team — it’s the starting XV most favoured by the bookies to line up in the first Test against Australia:
Front Row
1. Andrew Porter (Ireland)
A powerful and versatile prop, Porter is known for his scrummaging strength and work rate around the park.
A powerful and versatile prop, Porter is known for his scrummaging strength and work rate around the park.
2. Dan Sheehan (Ireland)
Dynamic and athletic hooker with strong carrying ability and solid set-piece skills.
Dynamic and athletic hooker with strong carrying ability and solid set-piece skills.
3. Tadhg Furlong (Ireland)
A world-class tighthead prop with superb scrummaging technique, ball-handling skills, and a strong presence in both attack and defence.
A world-class tighthead prop with superb scrummaging technique, ball-handling skills, and a strong presence in both attack and defence.
Second Row
4. Maro Itoje (England)
World-class lock renowned for his lineout dominance, breakdown pressure, and leadership qualities.
World-class lock renowned for his lineout dominance, breakdown pressure, and leadership qualities.
5. Tadhg Beirne (Ireland)
A highly skilled and mobile lock/flanker hybrid, Beirne excels at turnovers and offers great versatility.
A highly skilled and mobile lock/flanker hybrid, Beirne excels at turnovers and offers great versatility.
Back Row
6. Tom Curry (England)
Hard-hitting flanker with a high tackle count and breakdown expertise; a relentless competitor.
Hard-hitting flanker with a high tackle count and breakdown expertise; a relentless competitor.
7. Josh van der Flier (Ireland)
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier combines work rate, speed, and breakdown prowess.
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, van der Flier combines work rate, speed, and breakdown prowess.
8. Ben Earl (England)
Explosive back-row forward with dynamic ball-carrying and strong support play.
Explosive back-row forward with dynamic ball-carrying and strong support play.
Half-Backs
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland)
A sharp, quick-thinking scrum-half who dictates tempo and brings pace to the game.
A sharp, quick-thinking scrum-half who dictates tempo and brings pace to the game.
10. Finn Russell (Scotland)
Creative and unpredictable fly-half known for his vision, flair, and pinpoint passing and kicking.
Creative and unpredictable fly-half known for his vision, flair, and pinpoint passing and kicking.
Centres
12. Bundee Aki (Ireland)
A physical, direct inside centre with powerful running lines and strong defensive skills.
A physical, direct inside centre with powerful running lines and strong defensive skills.
13. Huw Jones (Scotland)
A classy outside centre with attacking instincts, speed, and a nose for the try line.
A classy outside centre with attacking instincts, speed, and a nose for the try line.
Back Three
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland)
Towering and powerful winger who’s a constant threat with ball in hand.
Towering and powerful winger who’s a constant threat with ball in hand.
14. James Lowe (Ireland)
Energetic winger with a booming boot, strong defence, and attacking creativity.
Energetic winger with a booming boot, strong defence, and attacking creativity.
15. Blair Kinghorn (Scotland)
Tall, athletic fullback with strong counter-attacking ability and a reliable kicking game.
Tall, athletic fullback with strong counter-attacking ability and a reliable kicking game.
? Full Fixture List – British & Irish Lions Tour 2025
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 20 June | Lions vs Argentina | Aviva Stadium, Dublin |
| Sat 28 June | Western Force vs Lions | Perth Stadium, Perth |
| Wed 2 July | Queensland Reds vs Lions | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| Sat 5 July | NSW Waratahs vs Lions | Sydney Football Stadium |
| Wed 9 July | ACT Brumbies vs Lions | Canberra Stadium, Canberra |
| Sat 12 July | AU & NZ Invitational XV vs Lions | Adelaide Oval, Adelaide |
| Sat 19 July | Australia vs Lions (1st Test) | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| Tue 22 July | First Nations & Pasifika XV vs Lions | Docklands Stadium, Melbourne |
| Sat 26 July | Australia vs Lions (2nd Test) | MCG, Melbourne |
| Sat 2 August | Australia vs Lions (3rd Test) | Stadium Australia, Sydney |
