Taunton School partners with Bristol Bears Academy

The partnership will support students aged eight to 18, offering them a clearer pathway into professional rugby through enhanced coaching and direct exposure to academy-level environments.

Central to the collaboration is the appointment of Alex Allan, a former Glasgow Warriors player and capped Scotland international, as Taunton School’s new assistant director of rugby.

Ben Thomas, director of rugby at Taunton School, said: "We are thrilled to welcome Alex to the Taunton School community.

"His experience at the top level of the game and his current international coaching role will be an invaluable asset to our students."

Mr Allan will also serve as a Bristol Bears Academy coach, helping to align the school’s rugby development structure with the academy’s professional standards and coaching frameworks.

Mr Thomas said: "I’m delighted that we have been able to solidify our existing relationship with Bristol Bears with this new partnership and I’m excited to see how this will complement our rugby provision going forward."

The partnership will introduce shared coaching frameworks, enhanced technical and tactical development programmes, and greater exposure to academy-level training.

A number of Taunton School students are already part of the Bristol Bears pathway, from under-15 to under-18 levels.

Three students have also been called up to international age-grade rugby camps in 2025, including Caspar for the England under-17s, and Monty and Fraser for the Scotland under-18s.

All three are currently involved with the Bristol Bears Academy.

The school said the partnership not only strengthens its sporting reputation but also reinforces its commitment to supporting student athletes who aspire to reach the highest levels of the sport.