BRISTOL BEARS

LAST SEASON: Promoted. COACH: Pat Lam.

KEY INS: John Afoa (Gloucester), Charles Piutau (Ulster), George Smith (Queensland), Nic Stirzaker (Melbourne), Harry Thacker (Leicester Tigers).

KEY OUTS: David Lemi (released), Giorgi Nemsadze (Ospreys), Thretton Palamo (released), Olly Robinson (Cardiff), Billy Searle (Wasps), Soane Tonga’uiha (Ampthill), Rhodri Williams (Dragons) STAR MAN: Charles Piutau. The £1million man is the most expensive player in league history and stupendously talented. BOSS’S BOLTER — Pat Lam: ‘Jake Armstrong and Jack Woolmore. These props are hungry for success.’ FAN VERDICT — Andrew

Cleaver: ‘With the rebranding, the club is looking to become a force. I believe we have a squad ready to take on anything that us thrown at us!’ SPORTSMAIL’S VERDICT: 10th. Make or break for the Bears and the league. Bristol going down again would be a huge indictment on the tiered system.