Thomas has returned after a season away from the Brickfields

Former Plymouth Albion skipper Danny Thomas is returning to the club as a player-coach.

The 32-year-old flanker had been working in a similar role with Taunton last season after leaving the club in the summer of 2007.

Thomas linked up again with Albion's chairman of rugby, Graham Dawe, as part of the Devon team which reached the County Championship final last month.

He joins on the same day as youngster Mark Lee.

Ivybridge Community College centre or full-back Lee, 18, was part of the England Rugby Academy in the south west and has represented Devon at four different age groups.

The club has also announced that 20-year-old back row forward James Tripcony has signed for another season at the Brickfields.