Lawday to leave the Chiefs

By Mark Stevens
21/3/19

Tom Lawday is to leave Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season and will make the switch to Gallagher Premiership rivals Harlequins.

Just days after former Chiefs star Michele Campagnaro confirmed he will be moving to The Stoop after a stint with Wasps, the 25-year-old back-row forward is one of a number of further additions made by Head of Rugby Paul Gustard this week.

Lawday’s involvement with the Chiefs initially stemmed from the club’s strong links with the University of Exeter where he is a former graduate.A key figure in their BUCS side for a number of years, Lawday not helped the University to win the BUCS Super Rugby title at Twickenham, but was also the top try-scorer in the competition during the 2016/17 season.

Awarded professional terms by the Chiefs, the Dorchester-born forward figured for the Chiefs in the both the Anglo-Welsh Cup and A League, as well as impressing on loan for Championship outfit, the Cornish Pirates.

This season, however, the dynamic forward has grasped his chance at first-team level with the Chiefs, producing a number of eye-catching displays, both in the Premiership and Cup competitions.

Gustard said he was impressed with Lawday's potential and is confident of his ability.

“Tom is a very impressive No.8 and we are excited that he has committed his future with us. He is a strong, ball-carrying, tackle-breaking, all-action back row who I believe will continue to improve individually and help us improve collectively as a team. He is an impressive young man who is the archetypal modern-day back row forward.

“I have watched him play a lot this season and, in every game, there have been signs of real quality and ability to be special and make a difference. We really like what we have seen in terms of his on-field strengths and in meeting him we are very happy that he exhibits the kind of behaviours that we look for".