Bristol Bears have confirmed the immediate release of 24-year-old winger Charlie Powell who came through the club's academy system but has failed to break his way into the club's first team on a regular basis.
The former Bristol Grammar School and Thornbury Castle School pupil got tipped as one to watch as a teenager after he became the youngest player to represent Bristol in European competition, at the time, when he came off the bench against Zebre aged just 18 years and 356 days, back in 2018.
Powell has since lost that record to Welsh international Ioan Lloyd who made his European bow aged 18 years and 228 days, but the achievement will never be taken away from him.
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Six months later Powell, who can play on the wing and in the centre, made his England U20s debut, but earning first-team playing time in the Bears' star-studded backline has proven a tough task. Powell has spent much of the last few years out on loan with Championship sides, featuring for Hartpury and then Jersey Reds as they claimed the second tier title in 2022/23. He signed a contract extension with Bristol last season with the intention of being sent back out on loan to the Channel Island club but their financial collapse ended that plan.
Now the club have granted power an early release from his contract after six seasons at the club.
He scored three tries in 17 senior appearances for the Premiership side.
