Bristol Bears flanker Sam Jeffries has been unveiled today as the latest signing of the Japanese Rugby League One club Suntory Sungoliath Tokyo.
Jeffries, 30, was on the verge of signing a contract extension with Bristol Bears but late in the day 'a life-changing' offer came in from overseas which he accepted. Jeffries left the club having made 61 first-team appearances over seven seasons at Ashton Gate. Upon confirming his departure, director of rugby Pat Lam hailed Jeffries as 'an insipiration' after the Academy graduate took a prolonged break from the professional game in 2019 due to a knee injury, joining the club’s backroom staff on secondment as Professional Development Manager, while continuing to rehabilitate only to make an unexpected return to first-team playing duties in 2021.
