Virimi Vakatawa will not extend the adventure with Bristol. Arriving in September 2023 at the English club, he signed a contract until the end of the season. The club officially announced his departure.
This is the end of a story that lasted barely a year. Virimi Vakatawa (33) will leave Bristol in the coming days, the club announced in a press release. However, there was uncertainty around the future of the former French international. For a long time, Bears manager Pat Lam had wanted to keep the three-quarter center arrived 10 months ago. In May, he confided that he was rather calm on the matter: “We’re chatting with “V” at the moment. Hopefully he’ll be with us next season, we’re just working on some things.”
\ud83d\udcac “We all thank Virimi for his commitment and efforts for the Bears and wish him and his family all the best for the future.” \ud83d\ude4f@vvakatawa has departed the club following the conclusion of his contract.
Thank you for your contribution to #BristolBearsIn \ud83d\udc99
— Bristol Bears \ud83d\udc3b (@BristolBears) https://twitter.com/BristolBears/status/1805518795114791059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Unfortunately, and as announced in our columns, the extension of the former Racing man depended largely on Bristol qualifying for the final phase of the English championship. The Bears concluded their season in 5th place and missed the semi-finals by two small points. And Vakatawa will therefore put his Premiership adventure with Bristol behind him.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come play here
The brilliant Vakatawa arrived in September 2023 in the southwest of England. Remember… A year earlier, and while he was a strong element of Racing and a contender for the French team (32 caps), the Fijian of origin was forced to end his career at following a heart problem. A pathology which prevented him from pursuing his career in France. But the specialists consulted across the Channel by the English federation had accepted his resumption of rugby at a high level, and in the middle of the World Cup – a competition in which he could have participated if his destiny had been different – the Bristol Bears announced the arrival of the old nugget of the French 7.
“Even if some people don’t want to believe it, say that I’m crazy and that I’m risking my life, I’m happy with the decision I made to play again,” he told us exclusively in November last year. A few months later, his departure raised new questions about his future at the highest level.
“To do what he did after the obstacles he had to face and this period away from the game, it shows the mark of the man. It was a real pleasure and a privilege to have a player of the quality and experience of “V”, paid tribute to the English club in its official announcement. The person also had a word for his teammates, his manager and his supporters: “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come and play here at Bristol, it’s a great team and I’ve loved my time here even if it’s only for one season. I thank the supporters for all their support throughout the year I wish Pat and the boys all the best for the future.”
