Exeter Chiefs newcomer Eoin O’Connor says he cannot wait to ‘make his mark’ with his new club after sealing a summer switch from Munster Rugby.
The 22-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest new addition to the playing ranks at Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
Highly-rated back in his native Ireland, O’Connor is certainly a formidable force, standing at 6ft 7ins and topping the scales at 17 stone, and heads to Devon having played for the province in both the United Rugby Championship, as well as the Heineken Champions Cup.
“It’s a great opportunity for me, especially with the squad we have here,” said the Waterford-born lock. “It’s a young squad, but having chatted with Rob [Baxter] he outlined the vision of the club moving forward and I was very excited by that.
“I’ve had four incredible years at Munster, coming straight out of school into their Academy, and learnt so much from the coaches and players like Tadhg Beirne, RG Snyman and Fineen Wycherley. Others too like Craig Casey and Peter O’Mahony, they were brilliant in terms of my development and for getting advice off.”
However, the chance to test himself in a new environment and a new league across the Irish Sea was something that clearly appealed to O’Connor.
“I wouldn’t say I know too much about the Premiership,” he added. “Obviously, we’ve faced English teams in Europe, including the Chiefs, so you get to know a little about them, but I’m looking forward to going to the different grounds, playing different teams and learning more about their rivalries.
“Having Saracens first up, you want to test yourselves against the big boys early on and there are no bigger than them.”
EXETER’S FOUR OTHER SIGNINGS
#1. Will Haydon-Wood
Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.
The 22-year-old playmaker is no strange to English rugby’s top-flight and his addition is another boost for the Chiefs, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots from the Ospreys.
“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the former England Under-20s international. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.
“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”
Having started this season at Wasps following a number of years at the Falcons, Haydon-Wood was forced to look for new employment last October when the Midlands club were forced to withdraw from all competitions following the collapse of the former English and European champions.