Bristol Bears miss out on keeping France international centre Virimi Vakatawa at the club

France international centre Virimi Vakatawa will not be at Bristol Bears next season, the club have confirmed

The 32-year-old centre made 19 appearances for the Premiership side last season, scoring four tries, after he was given a route back into professional rugby by the Bears having been ruled unfit to play in France due to a heart condition. Having played for a Barbarians team coached by Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam last summer, a move to the West Country was quickly agreed after an independent board of cardiologists passed the former Racing 92 star fit to play.

READ MORE: Bristol Bears confirm 38-player senior squad for 2024/25 season with Chris Vui absent

Bristol had been keen to keep him at the club, but the Fijian-born back, who played for the Barbarians just last weekend in their victory over Fiji, will play elsewhere having initially signed for the Bears on a cut-price contract having been out of game for over a year.

Lam, said: “V made an outstanding impact on and off the field and repaid the faith the club showed in giving him an opportunity back in the professional game. To do what he has done through the challenges and obstacles following time away from the game shows the mark of the man. It’s been a real pleasure and privilege to have a player of V’s quality and experience play for the Bristol Bears.

“We all thank him for his commitment and efforts for the Bears and we wish him and his family all the best for the future.”

Vakatawa's departure, along with Piers O'Conor joining Connacht, does leave the Bears slightly short of centre options heading into the 2024/25 season, with just James Williams, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Kalaveti Ravouvou as specialist senior options in midfield, with senior academy player Joe Jenkins having already had some first team exposure.

Vakatawa added: “Thank you to Pat for giving me the opportunity to come and play here in Bristol, it’s a great team and I’ve loved my time here, even though it’s for one season only.

“The boys and everyone who works in the club has been so lovely and so welcoming to me since I first got here and I’m very grateful.

“Lastly to the fans: thanks for all your support throughout the year. I wish Pat and the boys all the very best in the future. Merci beaucoup.”