Bristol Bears send prop out on loan to Championship side in bid to recreate James Dun's transformation

Bristol Bears academy prop Andrew Turner will join RFU Championship side Doncaster Knights on a season-long loan in 2024/25, the club have confirmed, as director of rugby Pat Lam looks to give his homegrown front-rower a taste of regular competitive men's rugby.

The Bears are well stocked at loosehead heading into the new campaign, with superstar Ellis Genge the starter and then Jake Woolmore and Yann Thomas - who have both made more than 100 appearances for the club - fighting it out for a place on the bench. Sam Grahamslaw provides depth meaning 22-year-old Turner is unlikely to be given many opportunities to add to his nine first-team appearances for Bristol.

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That was the position second-row James Dun found himself in two seasons ago, struggling to make the transition from the academy into the senior side. But a league-winning season in the second tier with Jersey Reds saw his game come on leaps and bounds and when he returned to the Bears this summer he proved ready to step up and fill the void left by Chris Vui's absence, finishing the campaign as the club's forward of the season.

Bristolian loosehead Turner has represented England at U20 level and appeared for the Crusaders in Super Rugby during a stint in New Zealand in 2023.

Lam, said: “The most important factor in a young player’s development is game time, so this is a fantastic opportunity for Drew to get some regular exposure in a very competitive environment. The Championship is a great competition for up-and-coming forwards to learn and develop their craft.

“The opportunity for Drew to work with my coaching mentor Sir Ian McGeechan and a quality young coach in Joe Ford will be great for his growth. The success of sending James Dun on a season-long loan spell with Jersey in the Championship and the way he has returned to be named Forward of the Season, just demonstrates the benefit of these loan spells in the right environment.”