Bristol Bears hooker Will Capon has been suspended from club activities after being charged with rape. The 26-year-old appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, where he denied one count of rape allegedly committed in Exeter in September 2021. Capon, from Hampton Road in Bristol, was granted unconditional bail ahead of a trial scheduled for September 2027.

A club spokesperson confirmed Capon's suspension pending the outcome of legal proceedings. The Bears emphasized they would make no further comment while legal matters remain active. Capon joined the Bristol Bears Academy in 2014 and has been with the club throughout his professional career. His last appearance came in May of the previous season following knee surgery after an injury during a pre-season training camp in Portugal.

The timing coincides with Bristol Bears' recent signing of new hooker Sol Moody from Exeter Chiefs for the upcoming season. Capon is scheduled to appear in court again on 26 July 2027 for a case management hearing. The suspension marks a significant disruption for both the player and the club, with the legal process expected to extend over several years before reaching resolution.