Rugby / Bristol Bears
Joe Joyce to depart Bristol Bears in 2023
Joe Joyce has announced that he is swapping the West Country for the west coast of Ireland at the end of the 2022/23.
The Bristol Bears stalwart, who grew up in Southmead and who came through the club’s academy, will be joining Connacht at the conclusion of the next Premiership season after spending more than 11 years at Ashton Gate.
The 28-year-old’s departure will come as a blow to Bristol, with the lock at the heart of team culture.
is needed now More than ever
Joyce was named Forward of the Season, Team Man of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season at the club’s end of season awards this year.
‘The king of Southmead’ also usually leads the rendition of Blackbird by the Wurzels which the players sing following a victory, most famously in Aix-en-Provence after the Bears’ European Cup win against Toulon in 2020.
“As everyone knows I’m a homegrown lad and a proud Bristolian, but I’m also hugely proud of my Irish heritage, so when this opportunity came about, I had to make a really tough decision and Connacht is really the only other club I’d play for,” Joyce said.
“I’ve been here ten years now and loved every second of it, but if I’m going to take on a new challenge, it’s got to be next year.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved at Bristol over such a long time but if I looked back on my career and didn’t take the opportunity to play in a different environment, I didn’t want any regrets.”
Joe Joyce helping with the drying up at Ashton Gate – photo: Bristol Bears / YouTube
Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam said that Joyce “is a true legend of Bristol Bears and he carries the utmost respect from everybody in the club”.
Lam said: “We are sad to lose Joycey but he is still a young man who wants to go out and challenge himself and create new experiences.
“We understand that and, first and foremost, our commitment is to Joe and Lauren and supporting them wholeheartedly in the life decisions they choose.
“What makes me most proud of with Joycey is the way he has grown – as a leader and a player – in the last five years.
“He has worked tirelessly to be the best he can be and he is a perfect example to young Bristolians of what can he achieved through diligence and hard work.”
Main photo: JMP
Read more: Mark Tainton to leave Bristol Bears after 40 years at club
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