Exeter Chiefs young duo of hooker Sol Moody and fly half Louie Sinclair have committed to Chiefs by signing new contracts.
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Both youngsters joined Chiefs ahead of the 2023/24 season as part of a quartet of promising young students from Finborough School.
19-year-old Moody developed through the ranks of the school as well as gaining age-grade representation for Northampton Saints – a team for whom he featured in the U18 Premiership Cup Final.
Sinclair, also just 19, spent time away from Finborough in New Zealand at Hamilton Boys’ School – an institution well-known as the development ground for future All Blacks stars.
Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is excited to have both players commit to being a part of the next generation of Exeter Chiefs.
“We’re really pleased for these two young lads to be staying at Chiefs. They came to us to join our Academy a year or so ago after an initial trial period in which they went extremely well. We were delighted to be in the position to give them an opportunity last year.
“This season has been their first experience of playing senior rugby. They’ve worked extremely hard in training and extremely hard on the field to try to improve day by day. A good example of their effort is Sol recently being included in an England U19s selection.
“Both the lads we feel have a bright future in the game, so we’re delighted to extend their contracts. Hopefully this can be the start of a successful senior career for them.”
Both players will continue their progression through the Chiefs Academy system as they keep their focus on their education and a future spot in the Chiefs first team.
Four first team stars depart Exeter Chiefs:
Exeter Chiefs growing list of leavers for the end of the 2023/24 Premiership season has reached four with a number of internationals departing Sandy park.
#1. Alec Hepburn
Exeter Chiefs’ loosehead prop Hepburn, who has represented both Scotland and England internationally, is set to depart the club at the end of the season.
Having debuted for Scotland during the Six Nations, Hepburn initially earned six caps for England before switching allegiances.
A pivotal figure for Exeter Chiefs in recent years, Hepburn played a significant role in their successes, including winning the Champions Cup in 2020 and two Gallagher Premiership titles.
Scarlets’ head coach Dwayne Peel has been proactive in bolstering the team’s front row, especially with Steffan Thomas departing for the Ospreys and rumors swirling around Wyn Jones’ future.
With Hepburn’s arrival, Scarlets aim to solidify their front row options, offering competition alongside Welsh international Kemsley Mathias, Sam O’Connor, and Josh Morse for the starting loosehead position in Llanelli next season.