Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam is starting to build his squad for the 2026/27 season
12:33, 09 Dec 2025Updated 12:36, 09 Dec 2025
Ealing TrailFinders’ Tobi Wilson in action during the Premiership Rugby Cup Semi Final against Exeter Chiefs. (Photo by Bob Bradford – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Bristol Bears have made a move for Ealing Trailfinder’s young full-back Tobi Wilson as Pat Lam looks to increase his depth at full back, according to the latest reports.
The Bears have been caught short at the back early this season, with regular starters Rich Lane and Noah Heward both suffering significant injuries. That has seen summer signing Tom Jordan regularly wear the 15 jersey, but the Scottish international looks set to be Bristol’s first choice fly-half next season, with the currently injured AJ MacGinty turning 36 in February and out of contract in the summer.
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Bristol also have young Argentine international Benjamin Elizalde as a full-back option but the 21-year-old has been linked with interest from several French clubs. Meanwhile, Welsh international star winger Louis Rees-Zammit, who can play full-back, initially only signed a one-year deal with the Bears after returning to rugby from the NFL and is understood to have committed to joining R360 next season, but the rebel competition have now delayed their launch until 2028, putting his future up in the air.
Bristol’s shortage of full-back options this season saw director of rugby Pat Lam forced to bring in emergency short-term signing Mat Protheroe, but the USA international has now left the club.
RugbyPass reports 22-year-old Wilson will move to Ashton Gate for the 2026/27 season, having turned down the offer of a new deal at Ealing.
Wilson began his club rugby career with Shropshire side Newport before progressing his way through the Worcester Warriors senior academy, earning a place on the peripheries of the England U18s and U20s set-up.
In his fledgling professional career, he has proven his try-scoring credentials, scoring five in seven games for Champ Rugby leaders Trailfinders this campaign after bagging 16 tries in his first year in West London, having joined the club from Coventry Rugby.
So far, the Bears have yet to announce any new additions for next season, but in the last month, the club have confirmed new contract extensions for key centre duo Benhard Janse van Rensburg and James Williams.