International back-rower signs new deal with Exeter Chiefs

byRugby Rucker

Exeter Chiefs back row Ross Vintcent has committed his future to the club, signing a contract extension.

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The Italian international, just a couple of months on from his debut for the Azzurri in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, ensures he will remain a key cog in a competitive Chiefs’ pack.

The 21-year-old has been recognised as an emerging young talent in the Exeter ranks this season. Back in September, Vintcent had his eyes on a BUCS Super Rugby shirt with the University of Exeter but has since appeared in the Premiership Cup, Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup for Chiefs.

Having enjoyed every opportunity afforded to him in those competitions this season, Vintcent is eager to get back to work with his teammates and set new goals for the new season.

“I’m incredibly grateful to have made my debut in three different competitions for the Chiefs this season, though especially in the Premiership and the Champions Cup.

“My ultimate goal while a part of this Chiefs squad is to push on and try to win a title in the next few years.”

Debuting as a youngster for Zebre in the United Rugby Championship in May 2022, Vintcent made the switch to Devon shores later that same year to focus on his studies at the university.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter plucked him from the university pathway at the outset of this season and has been impressed with the way Vintcent has handled the opportunity to immerse himself in the Chiefs first-team set-up.

“Ross is one of those young guys that we’re absolutely delighted has committed his long-term future here. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen his potential grow and develop with how well he’s played for the University of Exeter.

“We made the decision to try to promote the young players coming through that system. He broke through a little last year with some great performances in the Premiership Cup, but to come in this season in the way that he did, he’s proved to be fast, aggressive, and he’s been the real point of difference to other people in the league with his pace and work rate.

“Seeing him breakthrough into the senior international Italian team, and for them to have their best Six Nations ever as he played a key part in some historical performances for them, was absolutely fantastic.

“We see him as a guy who can only grow and develop more in the coming seasons. We think he’s someone that could become a real star of the future for Exeter Chiefs.”

Full List of 60 Players Released by Premiership Clubs, Including FIVE Clubless England Internationals

A total of 60 players have been released by Premiership clubs, including FIVE England internationals now seeking new clubs. The full list is provided below.

Jonny May, along with Billy and Mako Vunipola, are all expected to move to France, while the futures of Ollie Devoto and Guy Porter remain uncertain.

Despite being heavily linked to Saracens, May has revealed he will likely head overseas.

May said: “I’d imagine it will be overseas just because I wouldn’t really want to go to another Premiership club I don’t think. I sound ancient now.

“I think I’ve done 15 seasons in the Premiership and my intention after the World Cup was to stay at Gloucester and do one more season at Gloucester and I really wanted to do that, and that hasn’t worked out and that’s nobody’s fault.

Jonny May of Gloucester Rugby looks dejected after losing during the Challenge Cup Final Match between Gloucester Rugby and Hollywoodbets Sharks at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 24 May 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

“Gloucester’s been a great club for me, amazing club, it’s my home and I really did want to stay. It hasn’t quite worked out but that doesn’t change I feel towards the end of the season. With my little baby, maybe I will play abroad for a season or two.

“There is nothing concrete for me, hopefully something comes up but I’m fully focused on the Gloucester stuff until the end of the season.”

The list was compiled by Wales Online, with the addition of released Saracens players.

England internationals are in bold

Bath Rugby

Juan Schoeman (Prop, South Africa)
Keiran Verden (Prop, England)
Max Wright (Centre, England)
Josh McNally (Lock, England)

Josh McNally, Captain of Bath Rugby during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Worcester Warriors at the Recreation Ground on 9 Sept. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK/Gallagher

Bristol Bears

Dan Thomas (Flanker, Wales)
Ed Holmes (Lock, England)
Charlie Powell (Centre, England)
Jono Benz-Salomon (Prop, Spain)
Fred Davies (Hooker, England)
Jay Tyack (Prop, England)
Harry Ascherl (Centre, England)
Oscar Lennon (Scrum-half, Wales/ USA)
Aristot Benz-Salomon (Prop, Spain)
Macenzzie Duncan (Flanker, England)
Charlie Rice (Lock, England)
Tom Sims (Prop, England)
Matty Jones (Wing/ full-back, England)

Exeter Chiefs

Ollie Devoto (Centre, England)

Try Celebrations for Ollie Devoto of Exeter Chiefs as Henry Slade of Exeter Chiefs goes over for a try to seal the Win during the Investec Champions Cup match between Exeter Chiefs and Munster at Sandy Park, Exeter on 17th Dec 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

Gloucester Rugby

Harry Elrington (Prop, England)
Jonny May (Wing, England)
Rob Nixon (Flanker, England)
Will Gilderson (Full-back, England)

Harlequins

Makeen Alikhan (Flanker, Canada)
Theo Currie (Lock, Scotland)
Will Edwards (Fly-half, England)
Max Green (Scrum-half, England)
Jonny Smith (Flanker, England)

Leicester Tigers

Guy Porter of England during the England Rugby Training Sessions at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 26 Jun 2023 (Photo: George Beck/PPAUK)

Guy Porter (Centre, England)
Matt Scott (Centre, Scotland)
Dan Richardson (Prop, England)
Jacob Cusick (Centre, England)
Oliver Crane (Prop, England)
Sam Edwards (Scrum-half, England)
Morgan Meredith (Fly-half, England)
Simon Koroiyadi (Flanker, Fiji)

Newcastle Falcons

Sam Clark (Prop, England)
Mark Dormer (Prop, England)
Rory Jennings (Fly-half/ centre, England)
Charlie Maddison (Hooker, England)
Matias Moroni (Centre, Argentina)
Vereimi Qorowale (Winger, Fiji)
Josh Thomas (Fly-half, Wales)
Michael van Vuuren (Hooker, South Africa)

CARDIFF, WALES - OCTOBER 18: Matias Moroni of Aargentina (l) celebrates after scoring the opening try during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Quarter Final match between Ireland and Argentina at Millennium Stadium on October 18, 2015 in Cardiff, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Northampton Saints

Brandon Nansen (Lock, Samoa)
Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Prop, England)
Ethan Grayson (Centre, England)
Frankie Sleightholme (Wing, England)
Callum Burns (Hooker, England)
Archie Kean (Centre, England)
Joseph Gaffan (Flanker, England)

Sale Sharks

Sam James (Centre, England)
Agustin Creevy (Hooker, Argentina)

Saracens

Dom Morris (Centre, England)
Ben Harris (Wing, England)
Ollie Stonham (Flanker, England)
Billy Vunipola (Number 8, England)
Mako Vunipola (Prop, England)
Manu Vunipola (Fly-half, England)
Longolvi Munipola (Prop, Samoa)
Tim Swirl (Fly-half, South Africa)

Billy Vunipola of Saracens on the break during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Match between Leicester Tigers and Saracens at Twickenham Stadium on 18 June 2022. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

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