England prop leaving Ashton Gate at the end of season to join French Top 14 side

ENGLAND international tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler will leave Bristol Bears for French Top 14 side RC Toulon at the end of the season, both clubs have confirmed.

Thirty-year-old Sinckler, who has spent four seasons at Bristol having joined the club from Harlequins in the summer of 2020, has made 55 appearances for the Bears and helped the club to a maiden European title in 2020. Sinckler, pictured inset, is understood to have signed a three-year contract with Toulon along with Northampton Saints captain Lewis Ludlam having toured the club’s training base during the Rugby World Cup back in September.

Bristol director of rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Kyle has been a big part our Bears journey on and off the field, during his four seasons here. He has dealt with his fair share of setbacks along the way, and I believe he is playing his best rugby which is a testament to his resilience and determination. Like everyone’s journey, there will always be a time it comes to an end and I know Kyle is desperate to finish his time at the Bears on a high and continue his impressive form until the end of the season.

“We thank him and Talia for their time and contribution at the Bears and we wish them both the very best for their new journey in France.”

Sinckler said: “I just want to personally thank the Bristol community, the Lansdown family, Chris Booy, Pat Lam and all the support staff for my time at Bristol. Four years has flown by. As we all know, I have had some difficult times and it probably took me longer to adjust than I would have liked, but I’m eternally grateful for the continued support the club and the fans have always shown me.

“I’m honoured to have played for a club that has such a close bond with the community. We have experienced some huge success - winning the Challenge Cup, finishing top of the Premiership, and reaching the play-off semi-finals two years consecutively. My focus remains on age, and the amount of games he’s now accumulating there will be a degree of interest in his development further up the pyramid.

The Bradley Stoke youngster said: “I’m really happy to sign my new contract with Bristol Rovers. The past few weeks playing in the first team have been unbelievable and I’m really happy to now keep it going.

Ward’s new deal also crosses one of the names off the long list of players whose contracts are due to expire this summer, with manager Matt Taylor now having to make decisions on 11 individuals, while his six loanees will return to their parent clubs.

“It’s fantastic that Jed has signed a new contract with the club,” said Taylor.

Picture: Jake Kirkman/EFL