Bristol Bears Women

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]

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 Simi Pam Prop England Gwenllian Pyrs Prop Wales Sarah Bern Prop England Elliann Clarke Prop Scotland Ellie Mulhearn Prop England Lark Davies Hooker England Holly Phillips Hooker Canada Jess Sprague Hooker England Christiana Balogun Second row England Nicola Beet Second row England Delaney Burns Second row England Hollie Cunningham Second row England Abbie Ward Second row England Alisha Butchers Back row Wales Helene Caux Back row Jenny Herring Back row England Manon Johnes Back row Wales Bryonie King Back row Rownita Marston Back row England Claire Molloy Back row Ireland Gabriella Nigrelli Back row England Bo Osborn-Clarke Back row

Player Position Union Keira Bevan Scrum-half Wales Lucy Burgess Scrum-half England Megan Davies Scrum-half Wales Ellie Lewis Scrum-half England Holly Aitchison Fly-half England Lucie Skuse Fly-half England Meryl Smith Fly-half Scotland Phoebe Murray Centre Amber Reed Centre England Megan Varley Centre England Megan Webb Centre Wales Mollie Wilkinson Centre Reneeqa Bonner Wing England Grace Crompton Wing England Millie David Wing England Jasmine Joyce Wing Wales Courtney Keight Wing Wales Tilly Smale Wing Grace White Wing England Deborah Wills Wing England Amy Coles Fullback Jenny Hesketh Fullback England Ella Lovibond Fullback England Kayleigh Powell Fullback Wales

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

• Natasha Hunt
• Amy Wilson-Hardy

 Ireland internationals

• Claire Molloy
• Larissa Muldoon

Source:[6][9][2]