Bristol Bears Women
Full nameBristol Bears Women
UnionRFU
Founded1984
Ground(s)Shaftesbury Park
League(s)Premier 15s

Bristol Bears Women, formerly Clifton Ladies RFC, then Bristol Ladies, is a women's rugby union team based in Bristol, England. They are a standalone, independent rugby club, running in partnership with the Bristol Bears (formerly Bristol Rugby) since becoming affiliated to them in 2008[1] and play their home matches at Dings RFC in the Premier 15s.[2]

History

Bristol Ladies were founded as Clifton Ladies RFC in 1984 for what was intended as a one-off match against Weston Hornets. They eventually made it into the Women's Premiership before being relegated. In 2002, they defeated Nottingham Medoc Casuals in the RFUW Rugby World National Cup Final at Franklin's Gardens in Northampton, Northamptonshire, which they won with thirteen international players in their side. They were the first club outside of the London clubs of Richmond Women, Saracens Women and Wasps Ladies to win the trophy.[3] In 2007, they were promoted back into the Women's Premiership and played one more season as Clifton RFC. In 2009, Clifton became affiliated to Bristol Rugby, who then took over the running of the team from Clifton RFC.[1] In 2012, they moved to Portway Rugby Development Centre from Dings Crusaders Rugby Football Club's ground that they were sharing with Dings Crusaders. This made them the first women's rugby club to own their own facilities.[4]

Current squad

For player movements before or during the 2023–24 season, see List of 2023–24 Premiership Women’s Rugby transfers § Bristol Bears.

The Bristol Bears squad for the 2023–24 season is:[5]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Hannah Botterman Prop England England
Simi Pam Prop England England
Gwenllian Pyrs Prop Wales Wales
Sarah Bern Prop England England
Elliann Clarke Prop Scotland Scotland
Ellie Mulhearn Prop England England
Lark Davies Hooker England England
Holly Phillips Hooker Canada Canada
Jess Sprague Hooker England England
Christiana Balogun Second row England England
Nicola Beet Second row England England
Delaney Burns Second row England England
Hollie Cunningham Second row England England
Abbie Ward Second row England England
Alisha Butchers Back row Wales Wales
Helene Caux Back row
Jenny Herring Back row England England
Manon Johnes Back row Wales Wales
Bryonie King Back row
Rownita Marston Back row England England
Claire Molloy Back row Ireland Ireland
Gabriella Nigrelli Back row England England
Bo Osborn-Clarke Back row
Player Position Union
Keira Bevan Scrum-half Wales Wales
Lucy Burgess Scrum-half England England
Megan Davies Scrum-half Wales Wales
Ellie Lewis Scrum-half England England
Holly Aitchison Fly-half England England
Lucie Skuse Fly-half England England
Meryl Smith Fly-half Scotland Scotland
Phoebe Murray Centre
Amber Reed Centre England England
Megan Varley Centre England England
Megan Webb Centre Wales Wales
Mollie Wilkinson Centre
Reneeqa Bonner Wing England England
Grace Crompton Wing England England
Millie David Wing England England
Jasmine Joyce Wing Wales Wales
Courtney Keight Wing Wales Wales
Tilly Smale Wing
Grace White Wing England England
Deborah Wills Wing England England
Amy Coles Fullback
Jenny Hesketh Fullback England England
Ella Lovibond Fullback England England
Kayleigh Powell Fullback Wales Wales

Notable players

See also: Category:Bristol Bears Women players

At the 2017 Women's Rugby World Cup three Bristol Ladies players captained their national teams. Sarah Hunter, Carys Phillips and Claire Molloy captained England, Wales and Ireland respectively.[6]

 England internationals
 Wales internationals
 Great Britain sevens internationals
 Ireland internationals

Source:[6][9][2]

References

  1. ^ a b "Clifton Ladies". Clifton RFC. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Bristol Ladies". RFU. 22 August 2013. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  3. ^ "Women's Cup Final". Rugbymatters.net. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  4. ^ Bristol, The (16 August 2012). "Twelve sides line up in Robbie's memory". Bristol Post. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  5. ^ "Bears Women confirm squad for 2023/24 season". 5 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Bristol Ladies Trio To Lead World Cup Efforts As Captains". www.bristolrugby.co.uk. 3 August 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Waterman selected for Wales test". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  8. ^ Liza Burgess (6 February 2014). "Liza Burgess". WRU. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  9. ^ "Bristol quintet in England women's elite rugby squad". BBC Sport. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
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