Nathan Hughes has become the latest released Bristol Bears player to find a new club ahead of next season.
Despite announcing back in the Spring that he was heading to French Top 14 side Clermont Auvergne, the former England number eight has now confirmed he is moving to play in the lucrative Japanses League One.
This week Hughes was unveiled as the latest star signing for Tokyo-based side the Ricoh Black Rams along with Welsh centre Hadleigh Parkes.
Discussing his move, Hughes said: “‘My move over from the UK, I’m filled with enthusiasm, motivation and I’m very focused. I can’t wait to meet my teammates, coaches, staff, fans and everyone else who are involved with the team.
“I’m ready to overcome new challenges and push myself further. I’m grateful for where I’ve been and what I’ve achieved but I’m excited for where I’m going. Japan is a new adventure.”
Hughes joined Bristol from Wasps in 2019 and was a key figure in the club finishing top of the Gallagher Premiership in 2020/21, but the 2021/22 season proved disastrous for both the 22-cap England star and the Bears. After starting the season in poor form Hughes was replaced at number eight by emerging star Fitz Harding and sent out on loan to Hartpury and Bath, signalling his time at the Ashton Gate was coming to an end..
Another backrower who was released by the Bears in June, Bristolian Mitch Eadie, appears to still be looking for a club but was watching his former club from the stands during their 45-28 pre-season win over the Dragons on Friday night.
And Hughes is not the only former Bristol man to have made a U-turn since leaving Ashton Gate this summer with Samoan international back Alapati Leiua currently playing for New Zealand side Waikato in the NPC after his move to join John Afoa at French ProD2 side Vannes fell through at the medical stage.
Released Bristol prop Ashley Challenger is currently training with Bath Rugby.
Challenger has signed a contract to join Rugby Chartres Métropole on a one-year contract in the third tier of French professional rugby having been told late in the day there was no room for him at Bristol for the 2022/23 season.
As things stand there is no suggestion Bath are looking to sign Challenger, who can play on both sides of the scrum, but he is currently in camp providing opposition in training as the Blue, Black and White prepare for the up-coming Premiership season under new head of rugby Johann van Graan.
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