A product of Oban Lorne, Merchiston Castle School and the club’s academy system, Bradbury represented Edinburgh at U18 level and Scotland at every age-grade.

The ferocious ball carrier made his Edinburgh debut against Leinster at the RDS Arena in October 2014, aged just 19. He burst onto the scene in 2016/17, starting 21 of his 23 games that season, and was first handed the club captaincy at the age of 22.

His club form earned him a first Scotland cap in November 2016, when he made his debut at blindside flanker in the Autumn Test win over Argentina at Scottish Gas Murrayfield. He scored in Scotland’s remarkable 38-38 draw with England at Twickenham in the 2019 Six Nations, and was later called into the Rugby World Cup squad in Japan, where he made three pool-stage appearances.

He made his 100th Edinburgh appearance against Benetton in December 2021, becoming the club’s 36th centurion, and marked the milestone by paying tribute to his grassroots side, Oban Lorne RFC, on Club Appreciation Night.

After eight years in the capital, Bradbury joined Bristol Bears in 2022. He was named the club’s Players’ Player of the Season in his debut campaign and was a constant presence at Ashton Gate over two seasons, starting every one of Bristol’s domestic and European fixtures in 2023/24.

The number 8 returned home ahead of the 2024/25 season and quickly re-established himself as a key figure in the Edinburgh pack. He led the side and scored twice in the 47-17 win over Ulster at Hive Stadium that sealed a URC play-off place.

Bradbury was named club captain for 2025/26, and his form that autumn earned a Scotland recall after more than three years away.

He returned off the bench against the USA before starting at number 8 against Tonga, and added further caps in the 2026 Six Nations and the summer Nations Championship.

In May 2026 he brought up 150 appearances for Edinburgh across his two spells and signed a one-year extension. He continues to lead the side in 2026/27, sharing the captaincy with Matt Currie.