England international set to leave Bristol Bears for Prem rival

He spent spent eight seasons at Bath between 2011 and 2019 before moving back to his hometown club where he quickly established himself as Bristol’s first choice lock.

However, the 34-year-old revealed in an interview with The Rugby Paper earlier this month that he is out of contract at the Bears at the end of the season with a new deal unsolved despite the 24-cap international wanting to play on.

Reports coming out of Bristol suggest a return to The Rec is looking very likely, with Bath chief executive Tarquin McDonald saying earlier today that ‘negotiations with second row forwards are continuing' ahead of the 2022/23 Premiership season.

Follow Attwood on Twitter on @dmjattwood and on instagram on @dmjattwood.

At least four foreign clubs are chasing the signature of the Bristol Bears centre according to the latest reports. The Rugby Paper has reported that both Stade Francais, where he played as a youngster, and Montpellier are interested in bringing him to the French Top 14 next season. Meanwhile, there is also reported interest from two unnamed Irish provinces

The former England lock is messaging director of rugby Pat Lam every day to discuss a new contract for next season he has revealed. Attwood believes quite understandably he is still in the physical condition to offer something unique to Bristol Bears squad, despite celebrating his 35th birthday next month. However, for now he's set to be a free agent.

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The former England international number 8, who is currently on loan at Bath, is expected to leave the club for Clermont at the end of the season.

The Rugby Paper reported this week that former the Wallabies winger could be off at the end of the season having arrived at the club with Lam back in 2017.

Bristolian Eadie returned to Bristol from Northampton Saints in the summer of 2020 but has struggled for game time.