| Full name | Bristol Bears Women |
|---|---|
| Union | RFU |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Ground(s) | Shaftesbury Park |
| League(s) | Premier 15s |
Bristol Bears Women, formerlyClifton Ladies RFC, thenBristol Ladies, is a women'srugby union team based inBristol, England. They are a standalone, independent rugby club, running in partnership with theBristol Bears (formerly Bristol Rugby) since becoming affiliated to them in 2008[1] and play their home matches at Dings RFC in thePremiership Women's Rugby.[2]
Bristol Ladies were founded as Clifton Ladies RFC in 1984 for what was intended as a one-off match against Weston Hornets. They eventually made it into the Women's Premiership before being relegated. In 2002, they defeated Nottingham Medoc Casuals in the RFUW Rugby World National Cup Final atFranklin's Gardens inNorthampton,Northamptonshire, which they won with thirteen international players in their side. They were the first club outside of the London clubs ofRichmond Women,Saracens Women andWasps Ladies to win the trophy.[3] In 2007, they were promoted back into the Women's Premiership and played one more season as Clifton RFC. In 2008, Clifton became affiliated to Bristol Rugby, who then took over the running of the team from Clifton RFC.[1] In 2012, they moved to Portway Rugby Development Centre fromDings Crusaders Rugby Football Club's ground that they were sharing with Dings Crusaders. This made them the first women's rugby club to own their own facilities.[4]
The Bristol Bears squad for the2024–25 season is:[5]
Note: Flags indicate national union underWorld Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
At the2017 Women's Rugby World Cup three Bristol Ladies players captained their national teams.Sarah Hunter,Carys Phillips andClaire Molloy captainedEngland,Wales andIreland respectively.[6]
England internationals
Wales internationals
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Great Britain sevens internationals
Ireland internationals
