2002-03 – 2nd in Pool 4

The then Bristol Shoguns were drawn in a group with Irish powerhouse Leinster Rugby, French outfit Montferrand (now ASM Clermont Auvergne) and Welsh side Swansea.

The English side suffered a pair of defeats at the hands of Leinster, but secured 24-19 and 30-22 wins over Montferrand, and a 41-23 triumph over Swansea.

Three wins were not enough to secure a safe passage to the knockout stages despite finishing second in the Pool.

2020-21 – Round of 16

Following 13 seasons out of the competition, Bristol returned to the Heineken Champions Cup in 2021-22 after finishing third in the Gallagher Premiership and winning in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

Bristol were drawn in Pool B and faced games against ASM Clermont Auvergne and Connacht Rugby. Despite five tries in their game against Clermont, the French outfit triumphed 51-38 in the pool opener. A 27-18 win over Connacht, however, earned Bristol a round of 16 berth.

The English side then ran into Union Bordeaux-Bègles in the opening round of the knockout competition, losing 36-17 on the continent despite 12 points from the boot of Callum Sheedy.

2021-22 – Round of 16

Bristol returned to the round of 16 a year later after earning Heineken Champions Cup qualification through topping the Gallagher Premiership regular season table.

The Bears secured two wins during the Pool stage. A 28-17 win over Stade Français Paris was coupled with a 52-21 win over Scarlets – full-back Piers O’Conor notching three tries across the two matches.

A two-legged round of 16 tie against Sale Sharks ended in 44-39 aggregate defeat to their domestic rivals as Bristol equalled their best finish in the competition.

Bristol Bears return to the Heineken Champions Cup fold after a single season out of EPCR’s premier club competition as they endeavour to reach the quarter-final stage for the first time in their history. We take a look back at the club’s best moments in the competition.