Exeter Chiefs centre Ollie Devoto has confirmed he will leave Exeter Chiefs at the conclusion of the 2023/24 season.
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The Somerset-born back will leave Sandy Park after eight seasons, in which he accumulated 127 appearances and 21 tries in the era of a Champions Cup victory and two Premiership titles for Chiefs.
“Ollie has had a really interesting story with Exeter Chiefs,” Director of Rugby Rob Baxter said. “Ali [Hepher] and I both looked at him when he was starting to feature at Bath, and we saw a man who we felt could really add to what we were trying to grow and build here.
“He was starting to get some good exposure at Bath, playing very well – although he was playing a little at 10 as well as centre. We knew that he wanted to focus more on developing as an inside centre and that’s a position we wanted to add to.
“We worked really hard to get him and it was a fantastic move for us as a club, and I’d like to think Ollie thinks it was a great move for him too. He’s been a huge part of a very successful team that won a lot of Premiership games and obviously went on to grow into a team that could win titles.
“He really has been a fantastic player for us. Like a number of our guys, time moves on for them but in the time he’s been here, he’s had a fantastic career with us, and we wish him all the best for the future.”
Deciding on a change of scenery to the Devonshire region in 2016, Devoto arrived from west country rivals, Bath Rugby. Linking up with the England U20s teammates he had lifted the Junior World Championship with – the likes of Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Sam Hill – the line-carving centre quickly hit his stride in a Chiefs shirt.
Early in his Exeter tenure, Devoto was instrumental in the maiden Premiership title in 2017 before appearing on the field in both games of the euphoric double win of 2020.
Reflecting on the approaching conclusion of his Chiefs career, Devoto is sentimental about everything he has been a part of and everything he has learned throughout his time at Sandy Park.
“I probably haven’t really given actually leaving too much thought but as I start to reflect, it’s going to be so different and a bit of a shock as this club has been a massive part of my life for the past eight years. I’ve had some unbelievable memories that I’ll remember forever.
“We’ve been really successful and played so many finals. I’m so lucky to have played with some of the best players in the world, on the biggest stages and to have won trophies. It was all a dream come true.
“I’ve made some great friends and met some very unique individuals. I think over my eight years as a Chief I’ve gotten better as a rugby player, but I’ve definitely gotten better as a human being as well. I’m just so thankful to have been part of this club.”
2025 Six Nations fixtures confirmed with England handed toughest possible start
England will kick off their 2025 Guinness Six Nations campaign with an away match at the Aviva Stadium against Ireland.
Commenting on the 2025 Guinness Six Nations fixtures, Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said:
“The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is an appointment to view each year, delivering blockbuster entertainment for fans all over the world. The Championship never fails to deliver unpredictable excitement and experiences for fans to look forward to and then savour.
“The announcement of the next instalment of fixtures is always keenly anticipated by fans, and with tickets now available for the 2025 fixtures, coupled with extensive broadcast coverage of the games, fans can already begin looking forward to what is in store as the action for the remaining rounds of this year’s Championship plays out.”
2025 Siz Nations Fixtures
ROUND 1
- Friday 31 January
- France vs Wales – 8.15pm
- Saturday 1 February
- Scotland vs Italy – 2.15pm
- Ireland vs England – 4.45pm
ROUND 2
- Saturday 8 February
- Italy vs Wales – 2.15pm
- England vs France – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 February
- Scotland vs Ireland – 3pm