![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1_GettyImages-1776491039.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHe has been suspended from all club activities following the charge<\/p>\n
Will Capon of Bristol Bears looks on (Photo by Patrick Khachfe\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Bristol Bears have confirmed that homegrown hooker Will Capon is ‘suspended from all club activities’, having appeared in court charged with rape.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A statement from Bristol Bears<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n ‘The club will not be making any further comment while legal proceedings are active.’<\/p>\n A brief statement from the Crown Prosecution Service read: \u201cWill Capon is charged with one count of rape.<\/p>\n “Next hearing is a case management hearing scheduled for 26 July, 2027 at Exeter Crown Court.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n He has undergone surgery and was expected to be sidelined by the injury until the New Year.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Capon has also represented England at U18s and U20s level.<\/p>\n Bristol have already announced the signing of a new hooker, Sol Moody from Exeter Chiefs, ahead of the 2026\/27 season.<\/p>\n Bristol Bears on Whatsapp<\/p>\n Join Bristol Live’s Whatsapp community for all the biggest Bristol Bears stories sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n Bristol Live<\/a> is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.<\/p>\n Through the app, we\u2019ll send the Bristol Rovers news, live match coverage, team news, transfers, fixtures, analysis and more straight to your phone.<\/p>\n To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select \u2018Join Community\u2019.<\/a><\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Bristol Live<\/a> team.<\/p>\n We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose \u2018Exit group\u2019.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n