Mata to join Bristol Bears

Fijian internationalist Viliame ‘Bill’ Mata will join Bristol Bears at the end of the current campaign, it was confirmed today.

The club centurion, 32 – who joined Edinburgh in 2016 – will make the move to Ashton Gate this summer at the end of his current contract.

The Olympic gold medallist – who last season became the first overseas player to reach 100 appearances in Edinburgh Rugby history – has been a standout performer for both club and country since making his name on the World Rugby Sevens Series circuit.

Wishing him the very best in his move to Bristol, Senior Coach Sean Everitt said:

“Bill [Mata] has been an incredible and standout performer since joining Edinburgh in 2016 and he will go down as one of the greatest overseas players to wear the castle on his chest.

“All at the club wish Bill and his family the very best in his move to Bristol, and he’ll still have a huge role to play in the second half of the campaign as we battle in both the BKT United Rugby Championship and European Challenge Cup.”