They might have only arrived on short-term deals, but Bristol Bears have added all three of their new signings to their European squad for the up-coming last 16 knockout round in the Heineken Heineken Champions Cup.
With no limit on the number of players you can have in your European squad this season unlike in previous seasons it just makes sense for club's to register all their players, but the addition of Irish hooker Tadgh McElroy particularly catches the eye considering he has initially just signed on a four week trial.
He is joined by scrum half Stephen Kerins who is yet to make his Bears debut and Argentine prop Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo.
Tetaz Chapparo's inclusion potentially indicates he is close to a return to action having injured his calf in the 18-17 victory over Gloucester on February 12.
He was initially judged to be out for around six weeks which would put him in line for a return soon.
Bristol face Bordeaux-Begles away on April 4 in the last 16 knockout round of the Heineken Champions Cup, with the French Top 14 side adding just lock Thomas Jolmes despite having signed former French international great Louis Picamoles as a 'medical joker' from Montpellier.
It seems he is not allowed to be registered for two teams in the same season, unlike during the 2019/20 season when exceptions were made due to the shutdown of rugby due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Subject to relevant union approval, the following players have been nominated to supplement each club’s tournament squad:
ASM CLERMONT AUVERGNE
Joel Everson (second row), Reinach Venter (hooker)
BORDEAUX-BEGLES
Thomas Jolmes (second row)
BRISTOL BEARS
Stephen Kerins (scrum half), Tadgh McElroy (hooker), Nahuel Tetaz Chapparo (prop)
EDINBURGH RUGBY
Abram ‘Boan’ Venter (prop)
EXETER CHIEFS
Dan John (full back/wing), Max Northcote-Green (back row), Christ Tshiunza (second row)
GLOUCESTER RUGBY
Santiago Carreras (full back/wing), Giorgi Kveseladze (centre), Conor Maguire (prop), Bryan O’Connor (prop), Bryan O’Connor (prop)
LEINSTER RUGBY
Greg McGrath (prop), Jamie Osborne (centre)
LYON
Temo Mayanavanua (second row), Hugo Ndiaye (prop), Jordan Taufua (back row)
MUNSTER RUGBY
Ethan Coughlan (scrum half), Cian Hurley (second row/back row), Paddy Patterson (scrum half)
RACING 92
Emiliano Boffelli (utility back), Arthur Bruges (flanker), Anthime Hemery (No 8)
RC TOULON
Adrien Warion (second row), Rudi Wulf (centre/wing)
SALE SHARKS
Rouban Birch (second row)
SCARLETS
Danny Drake (back row), Eddie James (centre), Callum Morris (scrum half), Sam O’Connor (prop)
TOULOUSE
Juan Cruz Mallia (centre/wing)
