Bristol Bears have confirmed scrum-half Tom Kessell leave the club at the end of the season to return to the club he started his career at - Greene King IPA Championship side Cornish Pirates.
Kessell, who joined Bristol from Coventry in August 2020, helped the Bears to the European Challenge Cup title in October and earned himself a season-long contract at the Gallagher Premiership leaders.
Bristol director of rugby Pat Lam signed Truro-born Kessell as the club's fourth choice scrum-half behind Harr Randall, Andy Uren and Chris Cook, however injuries to Randall and Cook mean Kessell has been a regular in the Bears' matchday 23 this season, particularly since the turn of the year, but has played very few minutes with marathon man Uren shouldering most of the work.
The Bears have so far announced just two additional signings ahead of the 2021/22 season but that includes Saracens scrum half Tom Whiteley, and French centre Antoine Frisch from Rouen with 35-year-old Siale Piutau not expected to play for Bristol beyond the current campaign.
Kessell, 31, who made 112 appearances and scored 33 tries for Pirates before his departure in 2015 to join Northampton Saints, has signed a one-year deal at the Cornish side.
Cornish Pirates’ joint head coach Gavin Cattle has said: "We are delighted to be welcoming back Kess who has been a very good Pirate in the past.
"The strengths and benefits he can bring to us are obviously well known, with the benefit now of having a lot of experience behind him.
Kessell added: "Naturally, I am very excited to get back to the Pirates where my rugby career started – including at minis level!
I have a lot of great memories and, looking forward to seeing everyone at the Mennaye very soon, I can’t wait to make many more.
