Joe Joyce: rugby, resilience and returning to the West Country

When you’re known as the ‘King of Southmead’, how does it feel to be copping abuse on social media from the good people of Bristol?That’s the situation that former longtime Bristol Bears lock Joe Joyce, who grew up on the north Bristol estate, has faced this year after it was announced he will return to play rugby in the West Country – for rivals Gloucester. This week, with the Six Nations well underway, Bristol Unpacked is taking one of its periodic forays into the world of sport as Neil – himself a former sports journalist – sits down with Joe to discuss his return from Connacht in Ireland, as he enters the autumn of his career.What’s it like as a 32-year-old elite sportsperson to confront the fact that your playing days are numbered? What is Joe planning to do next? And how has rugby changed since he got his breakthrough – both in terms of its ties to the public school system and its famous association with hard drinking? Find out on the latest Unpacked – hope you enjoy.The Bristol Cable is Bristol's community-owned cooperative newsroom – fiercely independent journalism that puts people before profit. Since 2014, we've been holding power to account through investigative reporting, community campaigns, and democratic media ownership. Because when journalism serves the community, not shareholders, real change becomes possible.Support independent journalism and help us bring more vital conversations to Bristol: become a Bristol Cable member.