Jack Lam will depart Bristol Bears at the end of the 2018/19 campaign, following five seasons with the club.
The Samoan international – who has made 79 appearances – is one of eleven players to leave Ashton Gate Stadium.
The departures of Jack Tovey (Ealing Trailfinders) and Nick Haining (Edinburgh) are already confirmed, with homegrown Tovey having made 192 appearances, the 6th most for the club since leagues were introduced in 1987.
Experienced utility back Tusi Pisi leaves after three seasons and 50 appearances, while first team quintet Nick Fenton-Wells (50 apps), Joe Latta (18 apps), Sione Faletau (11 apps), Reiss Cullen (10 apps) and Jordan Lay (5 apps) also depart.
📝| #BristolBears confirm the departing players list as we say farewell to a number of popular faces at the end of the current campaign 🤝
— Bristol Bears (@BristolBears) April 30, 2019
Full story here ➡️ https://t.co/ZZQuat5Civ pic.twitter.com/rZm6lLm9IJ
One of the most decorated players in the history of the sport, George Smith, leaves Bristol following the conclusion of his one-year deal.
Academy lock Ehize Ehizode departs the integrated Academy following two seasons with Bristol Bears.
Meanwhile, team manager Gareth Delve and head of S&C Paul Bunce will depart the Bristol Bears backroom staff. The club will confirm the new appointments to these roles in due course.
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Head coach Pat Lam said: “It’s the nature of professional sport that, at the end of the season, we see some players move on to new opportunities.
“As always, we are grateful to these men who have put their bodies on their line for the club and committed to the Bristol Bears vision.
“We wish them and their families well for the next chapter and, like we do each season, will recognise the guys with a post-match presentation on the pitch after the Sale Sharks game and give our supporters an opportunity to thank them for their efforts.”
DEPARTING PLAYERS:
Jack Tovey – 192 appearances, 37 tries
Jack Lam – 79 appearances, 22 tries
Nick Fenton-Wells – 50 appearances, 6 tries
Tusi Pisi – 50 appearances, 6 tries
Nick Haining – 33 appearances, 8 tries
George Smith – 23 appearances
Joe Latta – 18 appearances, 2 tries
Sione Faletau – 11 appearances
Reiss Cullen – 10 appearances, 2 tries
Ehize Ehizode – 6 appearances
Jordan Lay – 5 appearances