Bristol Bears have announced the signing of 8 players to its scholarship programme including Clifton Rugby's Tom Sims, George Taylor and Matty Jones.

The Bears scholarship programme, which launched in the summer of 2020, sees an additional group of players receive an opportunity to work with the club’s professional staff in order to maximise their potential to become full time professional rugby players.

Tomas Gwilliam (Colstons School), George Taylor (Bristol Grammar School), Jamie Collier (SGS College), JJ Williams (Colstons), Matty Jones (SGS College), Dylan Power (Colstons), Macenzzie Duncan (SGS College) and Tom Sims (SGS College) will all join the programme ahead of next season.

George and Matty have also been part of the England U18 squad.

Bears Senior Academy Manager, Gethin Watts said: “We saw the success of the scholarship programme in its inaugural year and the guys have really benefitted from being in the Bears environment and we are hoping that they can push on and push for places in the senior squad in the near future.

“This is a critical stage in their development and provides a legitimate opportunity for a group that have been in our academy for a number of years to kick on and realise their dreams of representing the Bears. They now have the platform to hone their skills and develop in what promises to be an exciting year ahead.

"As well as a daily training environment, we are proud to work with local employers – including our Academy principal partner Xledger - to ensure that the players are gaining applied experience in their chosen field of study and interest. This programme is unique that provides a truly holistic programme that helps individuals develop.” ([i]Bristol Bears Website.)
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GEORGE TAYLOR
An athletic second row forward, Taylor – who hails from Bristol Grammar School and Clifton RFC - is a member of the current England U18s squad.

MATTY JONES
A versatile back capable of playing at full back and centre, England U17s, Clifton RFC and SGS College representative Jones is an elusive runner and strong distributor.

TOM SIMS
SGS College loosehead prop Sims is a powerful ball carrier and strong scrummager. He has been with the Academy since 2016.