Tipuric offered massive deal by Bristol Bears - reports

Star Welsh flanker Justin Tipuric has been offered a massive deal by Bristol Bears – according to UK media sources.

The Rugby Paper report that Pat Lam’s Bears want the Welsh breakdown specialist and have offered Tipuric a £500,000 deal to make the move across the Severn.

The Ospreys – even with the benefit of a WRU National Dual Contract – would be unable to compete with such a figure.

The 30-year-old has 72 Welsh caps, meaning he can avail of the Wales’ Senior Player Selection Policy and continue to represent his country.

Lam is eager to lure the backrow to Bristol, but he may have to compete with a number of French clubs who are also chasing the Trebanos man.

Justin Tipuric shuns the limelight but he has been a beacon of excellence at this @rugbyworldcup. Sunday could be his defining moment for Wales.

– writes @OwainJTJones #RWC2019 #WALvRSA https://t.co/tMKsEy8KyB

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 23, 2019

In 2018 the Lions and Wales flanker takes over the role of Ospreys captain from Alun Wyn Jones, who has held the post since August 2010, making a record 115 appearances as captain – more than double the number of any other Ospreys captain.

Since making his Ospreys debut in November 2009 as a second-half replacement in a Liberty Stadium Anglo-Welsh tie against Northampton Saints, Tipuric has gone on to make 168 regional appearances, his tally of 29 tries the highest by an Ospreys forward.

Tipuric made his Welsh test debut against Argentina in Cardiff on 20 August, 2011.

At the Rugby World Cup 2019 he captained Wales for the first time in his test career, against Uruguay in their final pool stage game.

He played in all five of Wales’ 2015 Rugby World Cup games, starting in the contests against Uruguay and Australia. He also represented Wales at sevens in the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Training ramps up a gear as the team hits the gym to complete their final phase of strength work, while the leadership group provides critical analysis of the recent victory against Auckland Grammar.