Rugby Coaching Team Announced 25/26

Including Bristol Bear and All Black Steven Luatua and World Cup Winner Amber Reed!

Bristol Bears legend Steven Luatua has joined the University of Bristol’s coaching team for the 2025/26 season as part of the club’s partnership between the club and university.

Former All Black and current Samoa international Luatua is a Bears centurion and widely regarded as one of the club’s greatest ever players. Homegrown hooker Will Capon is also part of the university coaching team, alongside Assistant Coach, Andrew Bell, legendary Bears Women and Red Roses star Amber Reed and Head of Rugby, Olly Slym.

The collaboration between Bristol Bears and University of Bristol was launched in May 2024 and sees a joint coaching provision with the aim of achieving promotion to the BUCS Super League and providing excellent rugby performance provision across the men’s and women’s pathways.

University of Bristol Men have made an unbeaten start to the season as they bid for promoted to BUCS Super Rugby, with Bears Academy lock Osian Williams in their ranks.

Head of Academy, John Barnes, said: “Our partnership with University of Bristol is hugely important for both our men’s and women’s pathways, so we’re pleased to be joining forces on the coaching provision across the programme.

“The addition of Steven Luatua, whose rugby achievements and experience need no introduction, Bristolian Will Capon, and the experienced Andrew Bell to a coaching team that already features Amber Reed is hugely positive as we work towards establishing University of Bristol as a BUCS Super League side.”

University of Bristol Head of Rugby, Olly Slym, said: “We are now entering the second season of the partnership with Bristol Bears, and the partnership has already seen a huge amount success off the field particularly in recruitment and the level of athlete attending Bristol University due to the link we have with the club.

“Therefore it’s important that we get the coaching to match the player profile we now have at the University. With Bears adding Andrew Bell, Steven Luatua and securing Will Capon for another year, it shows that we have a coaching team to match the squad we have.

“I personally want to thank Pat Lam and John Barnes for their continued support and hope we can repay them in a successful season on the pitch.”