Bristol name the Fijian who will replace the France-bound Radradra

Pat Lam has confirmed he has secured a replacement for the France-bound Semi Radradra, Bristol unveiling the signing of Fijian Drua midfielder Kalaveti Ravouvou. Radradra, who joined the Gallagher Premiership club in the summer of 2020 after being at Bordeaux, is expected to this week be named by Lyon as a new signing for the 2023/24 Top 14 season.

In the meantime, Bristol have offset their disappointment over their loss of Radradra by naming his Ashton Gate successor, his fellow Fijian Ravouvou who announced himself on the Test-level scene with two appearances in November, including a try-scoring effort versus Ireland in Dublin.

That selection followed his emergence earlier in 2022 at the Fijian Drua, the centre starting on a dozen occasions and scoring three tries in Super Rugby Pacific with a franchise appearing in that tournament for the first time.

Ravouvou is now set to play a second season for the Drua but once that commitment is finished, the 24-year-old will arrive in England in time for the 2023/24 Premiership season with Bristol.

Bears director of rugby Lam told the club website: “Kalaveti is a hugely exciting signing for the club who is comfortable at both inside and outside centre. At only 24 years of age, he will fit nicely into our team as he brings his powerful, destructive ball-carrying and well-rounded skillset that really took Super Rugby and international rugby by storm in 2022.

“He is dangerous on both sides of the ball and we are excited to help him fulfil his potential and ambitions up here in Europe. I’m confident our supporters will enjoy watching him represent the Bears in the coming seasons.”

Ravouvou added: “I’m delighted to have signed for Bristol Bears for the next few seasons. They play an attractive brand of rugby which I think will suit me and get the best out of me as a player. I can’t wait to get stuck in at the club’s world-class training facilities and contribute to their aspirations and ambitions as a club.”