Premier 15s club Bristol Bears have signed Wales star Natalia John ahead of next season.

The second row, who has 15 caps for Wales, said: “The Premier 15s competition is one of the most competitive leagues in the world I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m always looking to push myself to be the best rugby player I can be and with the high-level coaching and facilities provided at Bristol Bears I feel I can take my performance on the pitch to the next level.

“I’ve heard great things about the club culture that has been created in Bristol and I can’t wait to get started.”

Head coach Kim Oliver added: “Natalia is an exciting talent to add to our strong pack. She has all the attributes needed to make an impact in the squad and the Premier 15s competition. 

“She’s an attritional second row, who dominates the contact area and adds a huge deal of firepower to the engine room, as well as being great in the air at set-piece. I’m really looking forward to working with Natalia to help her reach her potential.”

Bristol have already made a raft of Welsh signings, with Alisha Butcher, Kayleigh Powell and Jasmine Joyce joining the west country side’s ranks.

They also re-signed six of the Welsh internationals already at the club.