The 26-year-old was suspended by the Gallagher Prem outfit earlier this year
Will Capon has been released by Bristol after being suspended earlier in the season(Image: Getty Images)
Bristol Bears have confirmed that former England U20s hooker Will Capon will leave the club this summer, after he was charged with rape back in March.
The 26-year-old appeared in court earlier this year, having been accused of the assault in Exeter in September 2021. Capon denies the charge and will stand trial next year after being granted unconditional bail.
Capon was initially suspended by the club, with a statement confirming that he would not be involved in “all club activities pending the outcome of an ongoing legal matter”.
However, as the Gallagher Prem club confirmed their list of leavers on Thursday ahead of the end of the campaign, Capon’s name was included at the end of the club’s statement.
However, his name was kept off a social media graphic that thanked the club’s departing players for their effort, while, unlike the other leavers, Bristol’s statement did not feature any details of Capon’s time at the club in the main body of the text.
The hooker has not played for the club in the last year, having been injured in pre-season ahead of this season.
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Instead, the last of his 99 appearances came in May 2025.
He first joined the club’s academy in 2014 and made his senior debut in 2018, helping his side return to the Premiership.
He was also part of the England squad at the World Rugby U20s Championship in 2019, while he was called up by Eddie Jones to train with the senior side two years later.
Ahead of their final home game of the season on Friday, Bristol also confirmed the departure of full-back Rich Lane after five years at the club, during which the 32-year-old crossed for 12 tries in 69 appearances.
Sam Grahamslaw, John Edwards, Toby Barker and Raff Weston were also confirmed to be leaving the club.
Second-row James Dun had already been lined up for a move to Harlequins, while Welsh-qualified centre Joe Jenkins’ deal with Leicester had been announced back in March.
Argentina international Santiago Grondona is heading to France, joining Ben Elizalde, Sam Wolstenholme and Steele Barker in leaving Ashton Gate.
“This stage of the season is always a difficult one because we’re saying goodbye to players and people who have made a huge contribution to Bristol Bears both on and off the field during their time here,” said Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam.
“Every one of these players have put their bodies on the line and shown tremendous commitment to our Bears Vision and should be proud of what they’ve achieved at the club. They will always remain part of the Bears family.
“As we have done over the past nine seasons, we’ll recognise and celebrate our departing players together as a group this week, and supporters will also have the chance to show their appreciation at Ashton Gate after the Bath game on Friday, May 29th, when the players will be presented with their Bears matchday jerseys.”
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