Kofi Cripps

An England-qualified flanker born on 3 April 2003, Kofi Cripps has emerged through the Bristol Bears system as an abrasive, high-energy presence in the back row. His game is built around relentless effort at the breakdown, where his physicality and timing help his side compete for turnover ball, and a tackling output that makes him a defensive focal point. Cripps has featured in the Bears' pursuit of domestic and European honours, prized for the engine he brings across eighty minutes and for the intensity he carries into every contact. Still in the early stages of his professional career, he combines youthful athleticism with a maturity in the contact area that belies his years, reading the breakdown well and choosing his moments to contest. His willingness to do the unglamorous work, chasing kicks, making cover tackles and clearing rucks, makes him the kind of forward coaches value highly. As he accumulates senior minutes, Cripps profiles as a flanker capable of growing into a more prominent role within a competitive Bristol back row, and he is regarded as one of the promising young loose forwards in the Premiership.