Ben Allman has been described as the “perfect lieutenant” by Bournemouth Director Of Rugby Will Croker.
Allman took a step back from the sport a few years ago, but is in contention for The Lions’ South West Premier trip to Barnstaple on Saturday.
The Isle Of Wight resident regularly makes the journey across to the mainland for training and Croker praised his commitment to the cause.
Croker said: “We are delighted to welcome back Ben Allman to the team.
“He took a sort of ‘early retirement’ a few years ago when he played the first season where Jon Sanchez and I were in charge.
“He is a wonderful rugby player - specialising predominantly in that hooker position but can also play in the back row.
“He is also a wonderful ‘chop tackler’ and he is like having the perfect lieutenant on the field from the coaching perspective.
“He understands the coaches’ language and terminology and what we are trying to get across to the players and very often before we have even needed to try and interject, Ben is putting that message out there and it is great to have him back.”
This week the Lions travel to the side hot on their heels at the South West Premier summit in second place - Barnstaple.
The match marks the first game where Will Croker’s side face a team they have already played this season.
With Allman ‘on board’, Croker says his rampant side will benefit greatly from having the versatile forward involved.
Croker added: “He is so committed to the boys and travels across from the Isle Of Wight every week to train and play for us.
“The boys are absolutely delighted to have him back in the mix and he is going to be a big feature for us in the second half of the season.”

Bournemouth v Barnstaple team: Grant Hancox; Dan Stewart, Freddie Gleadowe, Scott Chislett, Adam Higgins; Adam Davies, Mike Pope; Michael Davies, Joe Tarrant, Gianluca Firetto; Ben Roberts, Harry Leadbeater; Al Manning, Ali Bennett, Joe Rees. Replacements: Ben Allman, Ben Russell, Karim Lynch.