Appleby adds more new faces

By Mark Stevens
15/9/22

Exeter Chiefs Women have further boosted their squad ahead of the new 2022/23 season with a handful of new signings.

Head coach Susie Appleby has already enjoyed a busy summer bringing in the likes of international stars such as Claudia MacDonald, Cliodhna Moloney and Eden McMahon from Wasps, Jodie Ounsley from Sale Sharks, as well as overseas stars such as Silvia Turani, Liv McGoverne, Lori Cramer and Halley Derera.

Her squad building, though, is continuing and today she is delighted to confirm the arrival of yet more new faces.

Welsh international back Robyn Wilkins heads up the list, alongside Scottish international prop Panashe Muzambe and Australian international lock Michaela Leonard.

Wilkins, 27, who can play at fly-half or centre, has previous experience of playing in the Premier 15s with Gloucester-Hartpury and, more recently, Worcester Warriors.

With 59 Test caps, she is vastly experienced and comes highly recommended to Appleby. She is also the daughter of former Welsh international Gwilym Wilkins.

Muzambe, meanwhile, was born in Zimbabwe and moved to Scotland at the age of 12. It was not until she went to Edinburgh Napier University that she took up rugby, learning the sport under the guidance of mentor and former Scottish international Sarah Quick.

Predominantly a tight-head, the 26-year-old can also play on the other side of the front-row. She has played previously for Watsonians in the Scottish Premiership.

Aussie Leonard, 27, has spent most of her career with the ACT Brumbies, whom she also captained, but more recently enjoyed a brief spell in New Zealand with club side Matatu.

Capped at Test level by Australia, she made her Test debut back in 2019 against Japan.

Other newcomers brought into Appleby’s squad include highly-rated youngsters Katie Buchanan, Sophie Langford and Niamh Orchard, all of whom are set to feature in this weekend’s Allianz Cup trip to DMP Sharks.