TRANSFER | Exeter Chiefs centre departs for new challenge

Thursday, 28 May 2020 at 16:47

bySteven Smith

Ealing Trailfinders have today confirmed the signing of Max Bodilly from Exeter Chiefs for the 2019/20 season.

The centre is a product of the Academy at Sandy Park, and he has gone on to make 36 appearances for Rob Baxter’s side. The fast-footed back has since established himself as a dangerous runner with an eye for try-scoring.

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BREAKING: We are delighted to announce the signing of Max Bodilly from Exeter Chiefs!

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3:00 PM · May 28, 2020

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He made his senior Chiefs debut in an LV= Cup encounter against the Ospreys in 2014 and progressed on to represent Exeter in the Aviva Premiership, Anglo-Welsh and European Champions Cup.

Fighting alongside the likes of Henry Slade and Ollie Devoto for a place in the midfield, he has also been dual-registered for the past few seasons with Cornish Pirates, featuring regularly for the Cornish club in the Championship.

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Bodilly is very pleased to have put pen to paper at Trailfinders Sports Club.

“I’m really happy to have signed with Ealing Trailfinders. They have a strong squad with an exciting style of play and have been challenging at the top of the Championship for a number of years. I can’t wait to get stuck into a new challenge!”

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LIST | 5 players from abroad who could be capped by England in the future

These five have shown enough ability or promise to suggest they may be future England stars in waiting.

Foreign-born stars, such as Nathan Hughes and the Vunipola brothers, have already shown how integral they can be for the Red Rose after making the step up to International rugby.

Here are five players who could pull on the white jersey in the future:

1. Ruan Ackermann – Gloucester (South Africa)

His Dad Johan Ackermann, who departed as Gloucester boss for Japan earlier this month, confirmed that his son will be staying with the Cherry & Whites to persue international honours, and has already been in contact with Eddie Jones. The imposing number eight qualify for England on residency grounds in August 2020 -- just four months before World Rugby's new eligibility laws kick in.

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2. Jason Woodward - Gloucester (New Zealand)

The New Zealand‑born full-back who joined Gloucester from Bristol in the summer has already been included in an England training squad. With Eddie Jones revealing he is looking for competition for George Furbank at full-back, Woodward could find himself winning his first full cap at some point in the future.

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3. Ratu Naulago - Bristol Bears (Fiji)

The speedster took Super League by storm with Hull RFC, scoring 17 tries in 26 games, before signing with Bristol Bears for the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership season. It will be a switch back to union for Naulago, who previously won the Premiership 7s title with Saracens. If he can hit the ground running, he'd be right in the frame for a call-up from Eddie Jones.

4. Cameron Redpath - Bath Rugby (France)

The son of 60-cap Scotland legend Bryan Redpath, centre Cameron was born in Narbonne, France. He was selected in England's 34-man squad for their 2018 tour of South Africa but was unable to travel with the squad because of injury. The 20-year-old, who recently departed Sale Sharks for Bath Rugby, has also represented England U20, scoring three tries in nine appearances.

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5. Gerbrandt Grobler - Gloucester (South Africa)

Whether England would consider him as and when he becomes eligible remains to be seen but Grobler maintains an ambition to play at the highest level. “Obviously you wouldn’t turn it down [if Eddie Jones called]. I don’t think anyone would. You’ve got to have belief in yourself, otherwise why are you playing this game? You’ve got to have ambitions and goals but I’ll keep them to myself. There is always hope.”

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