United Rugby Championship club Edinburgh have held talks with Bristol Bears number eighty Magnus Bradbury, head coach Sean Everitt has confirmed.
The 19-cap Scotland international backrower has been linked with a return to Edinburgh, who he previously capatained, having moved to Bristol from the club two years ago.
Bradbury has been a mainstay of the Bears team since moving south of the border, making 40 appearances for the club to date. The 28-year-old enjoyed a barnstorming display on his last outing for Pat Lam’s side recording the most dominant carries across the Premiership in Round 14 on his way to scoring a brace of tries against Gloucester, but with Bristol securing the services of Fijian international number eight Viliame 'Bill' Mata from Edinburgh ahead of next season, essentially a swap could be on the cards.
Asked this week whether Bradbury was among his possible targets to replace Mata, Everitt said: “Yes. We have spoken to a number of players. It’s just whether they are available or not and if they want to accept the opportunity here at Edinburgh.”
“With Bill leaving, we are looking for a replacement,” Everitt said. “In saying that, we do have Ben Muncaster, Tom Dodd and Connor Boyle who have played really well when they have had the opportunity. We’ve also got Under-20 players coming through like Liam McConnell and a young guy like Tom Currie, and pre-season will help with their development. But we are certainly looking around to see who is available to come in and fill those boots.”
Bristol's backrow make-up ahead of the 2024/25 season is still unclear with contract negotiations ongoing, but it remains full of high-quality players having already confirmed deals for Argentina duo Benjamin and Santiago Grondona and with club captain Fitz Harding able to play across the back of the scrum. However with Chris Vui's future at the club still unclear, the absent Samoan international leaves a sizeable hole in the Bears squad.
