Key Points
- Versatile back of Bristol Bears, Tom Jordan said he is feeling rejuvenated and ready for more challenges after seeing good competition in the squad during pre-season.
- According to Jordan, the key takeaway from the last season is the need to remain consistent throughout the season to avoid a dip in form towards the end of the season.
- After an encouraging beginning when Bristol was competing among the top teams of the Gallagher PREM and even progressing into the Investec Champions Cup knockout stage, they ended up winning only four out of the last 15 games.
- It was the dip in form towards the end of the season that cost them elimination from the Champions Cup, failing to qualify from the PREM Rugby Cup group stage, and missing the top four places of the Gallagher PREM.
- Tom Jordan rejoined pre-season training at HPC after representing Scotland in the Nations Championship, missing the first part of strenuous preparation.
- Daniel Clark, Content Editor, has reported through Bristol Live dated 18 September, 2026.
Bristol (Bristol Express News) September 18, 2026 – As reported by Content Editor Daniel Clark of Bristol Live, Bristol Bears back Tom Jordan has revealed that he is feeling thoroughly recharged and excited for the challenges ahead, driven by the intense competition within the squad during pre-season. Jordan stressed that the primary objective for the upcoming campaign is ensuring the club maintains a high level of performance throughout the entire year, avoiding the sharp momentum loss that derailed their previous season.
Reflecting on the challenges of the prior campaign, Jordan told the Bristol Bears official website, as cited by Bristol Live Content Editor Daniel Clark, that “looking back at last season, we had such a great year, but we sort of dropped off after that Six Nations period and we had a couple losses, which hurt our season.” He noted that prior to that period, the team occupied a very positive position in both the Gallagher PREM and the Investec Champions Cup.
What went wrong for Bristol Bears during the previous campaign?
As detailed in the coverage by Bristol Live Content Editor Daniel Clark, the Bears enjoyed a strong start to the season, competing near the summit of the domestic league and advancing to the knockout stages of the Investec Champions Cup. However, momentum faded significantly after the international window.
As noted by Content Editor Daniel Clark of Bristol Live, the team secured victories in only four of their final 15 matches. This poor run resulted in elimination from the Champions Cup, an early exit from the PREM Rugby Cup group stage, and a failure to secure a coveted top-four finish in the Gallagher PREM.
Addressing the core takeaway from this decline, Jordan stated to the club’s website, via Bristol Live Content Editor Daniel Clark:
“Making sure that, come finals time, we’re as fresh as possible going into the running. Because that’s what really matters at the end is who’s at their strongest towards the final. That’s definitely a big learning.”
He added that the squad took those failures personally, creating a strong collective drive to push forward for the new campaign. Furthermore, Jordan expressed gratitude for the backing he received during his debut year, remarking that “it was nice to cap off my first season as a Bristol Bear player. I think just having the support from the club and the fans as well was amazing for me.”
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How has international duty and pre-season shaped Jordan’s return?
As reported by Bristol Live Content Editor Daniel Clark, Jordan missed the initial demanding weeks of pre-season training due to international commitments with Scotland during the Nations Championship. Returning to the High Performance Centre (HPC), he admitted that watching his teammates endure the early physical trials from afar was daunting.
Jordan told Bristol Live Content Editor Daniel Clark:
“It’s nice missing a bit of the nitty gritty early on. I had to turn off some social media after seeing the boys doing some of the stuff they were doing was making me feel a bit anxious, but it’s been really good being back in with everyone at the HPC.”
Highlighting the increased depth of the squad, Jordan pointed to the integration of academy players. As documented by Content Editor Daniel Clark of Bristol Live, Jordan explained that “with the intake of academy boys, we have a bigger overall squad training, so boys are looking fresh and got a lot of energy after their breaks as well, it’s a really good feeling.” He concluded by expressing confidence in the club’s training methods, stating that the group is placing attention on the right areas to guarantee future success.
Background of the particular development
The context surrounding Tom Jordan’s remarks stems from Bristol Bears’ recurring struggle to sustain momentum across a gruelling 10-month rugby calendar. Despite boasting a dynamic squad capable of competing with the elite in both the Gallagher Premiership and European competitions, the club has historically faced difficulties maintaining depth and physical freshness during the demanding Spring period, which coincides with the Six Nations window and international call-ups. Jordan’s transition from Glasgow Warriors to Bristol last year brought vital versatility to the backline, but the team’s inability to convert early-season promise into silverware or a playoff spot highlighted structural vulnerabilities in squad rotation and resilience.
This development indicates a heightened cultural and tactical awareness within the Bristol Bears camp, suggesting that coaching staff and senior players have directly addressed previous conditioning and mental endurance pitfalls. For Bristol Bears supporters, season ticket holders, and club management, this renewed focus on squad depth—bolstered by academy integration and a recharged international contingent like Tom Jordan—points toward a more robust and resilient league campaign. If the team successfully translates these pre-season lessons into year-round consistency, fans can anticipate a sustained push for the top four and deep runs in knockout rugby, reducing the risk of another disappointing late-season tail-off.
