Bristol’s Sam Jeffries: ‘I had rugby taken away so to return is a privilege’

It was not until Sam Jeffries had returned home from England’s triumphant tour of Australia in July that he allowed himself a moment to reflect on his journey towards international recognition. On his two-year “retirement”, on all those nights in the gym or in rehab, gradually finding a way to restart a career without the chronic knee pain that had ended it abruptly aged 26 in 2019.

Jeffries’ story is one of perseverance, dedication and no little faith from Bristol, something he is acutely aware of as he discusses his road to recovery – a feelgood tale within a domestic rugby scene that could currently do with one. He is generous with his time – it is not until after the interview he reveals he needs to go and have stitches for a cut on his chin – and at the Bristol Bears’ high-performance centre, employees are united in their praise for Jeffries’ character.

They know him well because when he had to admit that his patella tendonitis was too much to bear, Pat Lam appointed him as Bristol’s professional development manager such was the esteem in which he was held. It was a cathartic time because there he was, helping players transition to life after rugby, all the while living through the same experience. The hope that he would one day play again – however unlikely – never left him. But going from making his Premiership return in October to being whisked off to Australia to replace the injured Charlie Ewels was beyond anyone’s expectations.

“Knowing what I had experienced with that opportunity and thinking about how things had been 12 months ago to where they are now, I wouldn’t have guessed it would work out like that,” says Jeffries. “I was proud of how things had turned around, a lot of work has gone into it.” Jeffries