#7. Josh Caulfield (London Irish)
Bristol Bears have confirmed the signing of former London Irish lock Josh Caulfield, ahead of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season.
Caulfield heads back to his homeland in the West Country, having grown up plying his trade for the Taunton Titans in Somerset. The 26-year-old also made over a century of caps for Cornish Pirates, and later joined Exeter Chiefs, starring across the RFU Championship and Gallagher Premiership.
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Caulfield took his first steps outside of the South West with a loan move to Wasps in 2020. It is great to see his future remain in the English top flight, after he became a free agent following the financial collapse of London Irish. Caulfield presents great versatility in the pack, as he has previously starred across the flanks in the back-row.
An exciting asset to the Bristol Bears pack, the second rower will join up with the Bears for pre-season.
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Bristol Head Coach Pat Lam is excited to have Caulfield on board. Speaking to the Bristol Bears website, Lam said: “Josh is a local lad with a great attitude and desire to improve, so we’re pleased to be able to bolster our second-row ranks and add even more competition for places.
“He is hard-working, versatile and has good experience in the Championship and Premiership, so we’re pleased to welcome him to the Bears family.”
Confirmed Bristol Bears leavers list:
Joe Joyce (163 apps)
Andy Uren (157 apps),
Ioan Lloyd (79 apps)
Jack Lloyd
Charles Piutau (79 apps)
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Sam Bedlow (62 apps)
Sam Jeffries (61 apps)
Semi Radradra (52 apps)
Henry Purdy (48 apps)
![](https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2917916-804x1024.jpg)
John Hawkins (45 apps)
Bryan Byrne (44 apps)
Toby Fricker (32 apps)
Jake Kerr (29 apps)
Pete Carter
![](https://www.ruck.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/3005893-1024x683.jpg)
Sam Lewis (9 apps)
Will Porter (7 apps)
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Morgan Eames
Rhys Charalambous
Martin Mulhall
Tom Wilstead