Exeter Chiefs to raid Premiership rival for new lock
Exeter Chiefs' plans for the 2019/20 season are set to take another step forward in the coming weeks, as they prepare to confirm the arrival of a new second row.
The Gallagher Premiership leaders have seen homegrown product Sam Skinner commit his international future to Scotland this season, something which has seen their resources in the engine room stretched thin during international windows, especially with Jonny Hill's recent absence due to injury. Skinner's RPI of 91 and Hill's score of 87 make them the second and third highest rated locks in the Premiership respectively, with only Maro Itoje, 92, ahead of them.
With Hill also likely to be on the international radar in 2019/20, having toured South Africa with England last year, albeit without winning a debut cap, the club are clearly keen to strengthen their stock of second rows.
RugbyPass sources understand that Newcastle Falcons lock Will Witty is the man that Exeter have agreed to bring in, with the former England U20 set to sign a two-year deal in Devon.
Witty had a breakout campaign for Newcastle last season, featuring prominently alongside Calum Green, and established himself as a very adept lineout forward. Between he and Green, visitors to Kingston Park were put under constant pressure at the set-piece, whilst the pair also helped to provide the platform from which Falcons flourished last season.
The 6' 5" forward was a part of the England side that made it to the final of the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship, starting alongside Charlie Ewels, as well as other senior England internationals Ellis Genge and Paul Hill.
Continue reading below...
You may also like: Rugby World Cup Japan city guide - Fukuoka
Only eligible for England and facing stiff competition at his position internationally, Exeter will have an effective lineout operator in Witty that they should be able to rely on for the entire season, something which is valued particularly highly in the south-west, with the club's proficiency at the set-piece and with their driving maul often paramount to their success.
Witty could find himself in a competition with Mitch Lees, Dave Dennis, Ollie Atkins and Sean Lonsdale to regularly feature alongside Skinner and Hill next season, although both Dennis and Atkins are in contract years and could end up moving on in the summer.
Watch: Rugby World Cup city guide: Oita
Latest Comments
It is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
Go to comments