DAVE SANSOM has made a return to Devon One side Plymouth Argaum.

Sansom guided Argaum to back-to-back promotions from Devon Two to the Cornwall/Devon League between 2013 and 2015 and then helped them to a top half finish in their first season at level eight.

But in May 2016 he decided to step down from his role as first team coach and director of rugby.

However, he has now agreed to return to Bickleigh Down to work with new head coach Brett Stroud. Sansom will take on the role of first team manager.

Also joining Stroud’s Argaum coaching team is former Devon scrum-half Alex Jeffery, who has just helped Paignton to promotion to Western Counties West.

Jeffery, who started his career alongside Stroud at Plymouth Albion before moving on to Newton Abbot, will help out as backs coach at Bickleigh Down until the new year when he will return to Paignton.

Argaum have also been busy strengthening their squad for when the Devon One 2020-21 season does start, which the RFU confirmed on Thursday will not now be until at least January.

The influential Dan James is set to return to playing after a couple of seasons out of the game, while former Ivybridge back-row forward Mitch Coles and Plympton Victoria second-row Jason Morgan have joined the Roborough-based club.

Other additions include Wayne Gillen and Toby Stubbs, as well as former colts Josh Tart, Harrison Truswell and Marshall Coade. The club also hope to announce further additions in the coming weeks.

“Brett Stroud has come in and has made an immediate impact,” said Argaum chairman Nick Hanock. “There is a buzz around training with players committing to the structure and game play style that Brett wants us to adopt.

“It’s like a revolution in attitude and seeing Dave back up at Argaum is brilliant. We even have lads doing extras on Saturday mornings such is the enthusiasm.”

Hancock is confident Argaum will be able to run two teams when the season does start. The club currently have about 30 players training under RFU guidance and are keen to welcome more with training on Tuesday and Thursdays at 7pm.