He has been suspended from all club activities following the charge
Will Capon of Bristol Bears looks on (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)
Bristol Bears have confirmed that homegrown hooker Will Capon is ‘suspended from all club activities’, having appeared in court charged with rape.
Capon, 26, who plays hooker for the Gallagher PREM Rugby Cup and has made nearly 100 appearances for the club, is accused of rape in Exeter in September 2021.
Capon, of Hampton Road, Bristol appeared at Exeter Crown Court to deny the charge and will face trial at the same court in September 2027. Capon was granted unconditional bail by a judge.
A statement from Bristol Bears issued to BristolLive said: ‘Bristol Bears can confirm that Will Capon is suspended from all club activities pending the outcome of an ongoing legal matter.
‘The club will not be making any further comment while legal proceedings are active.’
A brief statement from the Crown Prosecution Service read: “Will Capon is charged with one count of rape.
“Next hearing is a case management hearing scheduled for 26 July, 2027 at Exeter Crown Court.”
Capon, who is understood to be out of contract with the Bears at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, has not played for the club this season, having suffered a contact knee injury during Bristol’s pre-season training camp in Portugal.
He has undergone surgery and was expected to be sidelined by the injury until the New Year.
Academy product Capon made his Bristol debut back in April 2018 as they defeated Doncaster Knights to win the RFU Championship and secure promotion back to the top flight.
Capon has also represented England at U18s and U20s level.
Bristol have already announced the signing of a new hooker, Sol Moody from Exeter Chiefs, ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Bristol Bears on Whatsapp
Join Bristol Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Bears stories sent straight to your phone
Bristol Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.