BOURNEMOUTH boss Will Croker described Mike Pope’s return to Chapel Gate as “the final piece of the jigsaw”.

Pope, who can operate at scrum-half, fly-half or on the wing, will double up as strength and conditioning coach following his exit from Championship outfit Cornish Pirates.

The 27-year-old will also be an advisor on other elements of the game.

Former Exeter Chiefs ace Pope is the third generation of his family to play for the club following his father Alan and grandfather Mike.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s South West Premier opener at promoted Old Patesians (3pm), Croker said: “Mike Pope is one of the most important signings we have made this summer.

“He comes to us in the prime of his career and brings an enormous amount of experience.

“He played for Bournemouth as a youngster and we are delighted he is back. He is a huge voice in the changing rooms and the boys really respect him.

“One of the features of Mike’s game is his versatility. He has a really high skill set so he is someone we are going to use as a barometer to measure how the boys’ key skills are improving.

“He could well be the final piece of the jigsaw for this season.”

Pope is not the only returning player in the Lions set-up, with Karim Lynch, Adam Higgins, Mike Davies, Joe Tarrant and Ben Flett also back.

The quintet are in the squad for the trip to Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham, as are new recruits Ben Roberts and Ben Russell.

Freddie Gleadowe is not included as he is sidelined with a hamstring tear which is due to keep him out for a month.

Lions, who missed out on promotion last season after losing a play-off to Guernsey, warmed up for their league opener with a comfortable win at Old Redcliffians.

Croker said: “We were expecting the Old Reds game to be a real battle so to win 27-7 was a great result for us.

“We don’t have a great record against promoted teams so we have taken the Old Pats game slightly differently in terms of our preparation.

“They are having a new pitch laid so the game is being played at Prince of Wales Stadium, which is a big paddock and should suit us.”

Lions: Lynch, Higgins, Hancox, Chislett, Stewart, Pope, Hardcastle, Davies, Manning, Tarrant, Roberts, Rees, Hennings, Flett, Bennett. Replacements: Firetto, Jeffes, Russell.