Worcester sign ex-England U20 Kofi Cripps from Bristol to bolster title defence

Worcester Warriors have signed back-row Kofi Cripps from Gallagher Premiership side Bristol Bears, the Championship champions confirmed ahead of the 2025-26 season. The 23-year-old former England Under-20 international makes the step down to the second tier to link up once more with Warriors head coach Matt Everard.

Cripps spent the past 18 months at Ashton Gate, making his Premiership debut against Newcastle Red Bulls in April, but found regular game time hard to come by in the West Country. His move to Sixways reunites him with Everard, who coached him during his time at Wasps earlier in his career.

“Having worked with Matt before was a big part of the decision for me,” Cripps said. “I know the standards he sets and I feel he understands me as a player and knows how to get the best out of my game.”

Everard was equally enthusiastic about the acquisition. “He’s really impressed everyone at the club across the last few weeks — how he is as a person off the field and his efforts on the field,” the Worcester boss said. “Kofi brings experience at the top level and his skill and talent in both attack and defence is really exciting.”

Cripps is the second back-row to leave Bristol this summer, following Argentina international Santiago Grondona, who has departed for French Top 14 side Pau.

Worcester begin their Championship title defence on Saturday, 19 September, hosting Bedford Blues — a repeat of last season’s final — as they look to build on their promotion-winning campaign.