Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of Welsh back-rower Carwyn Tuipulotu on a short-term deal, with RUCK breaking the news of his move to Devon last week.
The 25-year-old started the season as a free agent after featuring for Dragons during pre-season. The Welsh region opted against offering him a contract, instead bringing in Northland back-rower Terrell Peita.
Tuipulotu has now made the move to Exeter, with the Chiefs bringing him in through an injury dispensation slot.
The former Wales age-grade international made 48 appearances for Scarlets after coming through the club's academy.
He also spent time with Llanelli RFC and Carmarthen Quins before joining Saracens as short-term injury cover in 2025.
He subsequently moved to French side Section Paloise, where he made five appearances in all competitions last season and scored two tries.
Tuipulotu featured for Dragons in the second half of their 81-12 win over Championship side Hartpury in September, but remained without a permanent club before Exeter confirmed his arrival.
The No.8 came through the Newcastle Falcons academy and was part of the Welsh Exiles before joining Scarlets. He made his senior debut against Leinster in 2021 before signing his first professional contract.
Tuipulotu is also part of a prominent rugby family, with his cousins including England internationals Mako and Billy Vunipola, Wales No.8 Taulupe Faletau and Wales Women international Sisilia Tuipulotu.
Speaking after completing the move, Tuipulotu said: “After speaking to boys that have been in and around Chiefs, they all spoke so highly of the club and its culture.
"Speaking to Joe [Simmonds] and Harry [Williams] out in France, they highlighted how family-orientated the club is which matches perfectly with my background and the culture I come from.
“I’m excited to have the chance to hopefully share the shirt with Greg [Fisilau]. Having grown up together, our families are just as excited. We’re cousins but we grew up like brothers, so this is an extremely special opportunity.
“I’m really looking forward to ripping in with the boys and trying to contribute to what the club is pushing to achieve.”
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter explained that Tuipulotu's arrival was prompted by the club's lack of depth in the back row, with Richard Capstick still recovering from a long-term injury.
He said: “Looking at our squad, and our available depth at the moment with the likes of Richard Capstick still having a long-term injury to rehab from, we’ve taken the opportunity to strengthen our numbers at the start of the season using an injury dispensation slot.
“My attention was brought to Carwyn, as he’s actually someone I had looked at before after being impressed with his ball-carrying ability.
"I liked what I saw in some of his final games of last season for Pau, so I felt he’d be a good addition to us and different to the players we already have.
“So, we’ve moved pretty quickly to bring him in. It’ll be good to see him bring strength to the depth of our squad and we look forward to seeing him pull on a Chiefs shirt in the near future.”
