Pat Tapley returning to Bedford Blues

Bedford Blues have announced that winger Pat Tapley will be returning to Goldington Road in time for the 2018/19 Championship season.

The flying winger has spent the past year living and playing in Australia which included a spell alongside former Blues fly half Myles Dorrian at Warringah Rats.

Speaking about the signing, Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: "I know a lot of people were disappointed to see Pat leave last summer, but he wanted to see the world and you can't stand in the way of that.

"We stayed in touch with Pat while he was away and when he decided to head home, he asked if he could come back to the Blues family and of course, we said yes.

"We are really pleased to be welcoming back a player of Pat's ability and he's really excited about returning.

"Pat is a proven try scorer in the Championship and he spent four years scaring the life out of defences. Judging by his exploits in the last year, he'll continue doing that next season!"

It's been five years since a fresh-faced Tapley joined Bedford from Cambridge following an impressive trial at Goldington Road.

Quickly establishing himself as a fan favourite, Tapley made 76 appearances for the Blues scoring 44 tries along the way and was included in the 2015/16 Championship Dream Team.