Key Points
- Bernard Jackman, an Irish international rugby hooker and coach, has been named head of recruitment at Bristol Bears.
- Jackman replaces Gethin Watts, who left the club during the last week of the previous season after seven years with the team in different capacities.
- As the new head of recruitment, he is tasked with leading the rebuilding process of a squad where several important players are near the end of their careers.
- Jackman has considerable experience on the pitch as well as on the coaching side, having played for Connacht, Sale Sharks, and Leinster, and coached Grenoble and Dragons.
- In recent years, he has been working as a rugby analyst, pundit, columnist, and co-founder of the recruitment site The Rugby Connector.
Bristol (Bristol Express News) September 21, 2026 – As reported by John Evely of Bristol Live, Bristol Bears have successfully added significant rugby intelligence to their backroom operations by securing former Dragons and Grenoble head coach Bernard Jackman as their new head of recruitment. The appointment comes after a rigorous search to find a suitable successor for Gethin Watts. As detailed by John Evely of Bristol Live, Gethin Watts handed in his notice towards the end of the previous season, concluding a seven-year tenure in various roles within the organization.
The club has turned to the former Irish international hooker to steer their player acquisition strategy. As noted by John Evely of Bristol Live, the Bears face a substantial squad rebuild over the coming seasons. This transition is required because several core stars are entering the final stages of their playing careers, including fly-half AJ MacGinty, flanker Steven Luatua, number eight Bill Mata, and props Max Lahiff and Jake Woolmore.
What Is Bernard Jackman’s Background in Rugby?
As a player, Bernard Jackman established a resilient career. According to information outlined by John Evely of Bristol Live, Jackman began his senior career at Connacht before transferring to Sale Sharks. During his time at Sale Sharks, he secured the 2001/02 European Challenge Cup. He later moved to Leinster, where he formed part of the squad that triumphed in the 2007/08 Celtic League and lifted the 2008/09 Heineken Cup.
On the international stage, Jackman earned nine caps for Ireland between 2005 and 2008 before an injury forced his retirement in 2010. Following his playing days, he seamlessly transitioned into professional coaching. As reported by John Evely of Bristol Live, he initially served as a skills and forwards coach at French club Grenoble, eventually ascending to the head coach position in 2016. In 2017, he took charge as head coach of the Welsh United Rugby Championship side, the Dragons, maintaining the role for 18 months.
Explore more Bristol Bears RFC News:
Tom Jordan Eyes Stronger Bristol Bears Season in Bristol 2026
Bristol Bears Star Kalaveti Ravouvou Injured on Fiji Duty Bristol 2026
How Has Jackman Prepared for This Recruitment Role Outside Coaching?
Beyond his coaching commitments, Jackman diversified his professional portfolio. As stated by John Evely of Bristol Live, he established himself as a prominent rugby analyst and commentator across major networks including RTÉ Sport, Premier Sports, and the BBC. He has also contributed as a regular columnist for the Sunday Independent, hosted popular rugby podcasts, and participated widely on the speaking circuit.
Furthermore, Jackman served as the Acting Head of High Performance Sport for Horse Sport Ireland leading up to the 2024 Olympic Games. Most notably, since 2025, he has acted as the co-founder and chief revenue officer of The Rugby Connector, a specialized digital platform designed to help rugby clubs connect with players and coaches. As highlighted by John Evely of Bristol Live, this entrepreneurial venture aligns closely with the core responsibilities of his new position at Bristol Bears.
Background of the Particular Development
The search for a new head of recruitment at Bristol Bears was triggered by the departure of Gethin Watts late last season. Watts had been an integral pillar of the club’s administrative and operational framework for seven years, overseeing pathways and talent identification. With his exit, the Bears faced a strategic vacuum in their squad planning division.
Concurrently, the squad finds itself at a historical crossroads. A significant cohort of foundational players who defined the club’s competitive identity over recent seasons—such as Steven Luatua and AJ MacGinty—are approaching the natural conclusion of their elite playing careers. This necessitated a proactive structural response from the club’s leadership, prompting them to target a candidate with a multi-faceted understanding of the global player market, tactical requirements, and modern evaluation methodologies.
This high-profile appointment is expected to significantly impact Bristol Bears’ long-term squad depth, academy integration, and financial resource allocation. For the club’s supporters, coaching staff, and senior players, Jackman’s arrival signals a calculated shift toward modern, data-informed, and globally networked talent identification.
Given his recent co-founding role at The Rugby Connector, Jackman possesses an intimate, up-to-date database and network regarding available talent across various tiers of professional rugby. Over the next two to three seasons, this development will likely accelerate the transition phase for Bristol Bears, helping them seamlessly phase out aging veterans while recruiting high-value, high-potential replacements without disrupting the team culture. Ultimately, this move should secure the Bears’ competitive positioning in the Gallagher Premiership, mitigating the risk of late-season squad fatigue and ensuring a sustainable pipeline of talent for the future.
