Southworth Signs for Cardiff Rugby for 2024/25 Season

Exeter Chiefs loosehead prop Danny Southworth has agreed a move to Cardiff Rugby for the 2024/25 season.

The Devon-born front rower will join the Welsh region in the United Rugby Championship after 25 appearances and two tries as a Chief.

Southworth, who originally began his rugby journey as a youngster at Barnstaple RFC, has been a success story of the Exeter Chiefs Academy pathway. A former Ivybridge Community College pupil, it was there that he first linked up with future Chiefs teammates Max Norey and Rusi Tuima.

After time spent on dual registration with Plymouth Albion and a loan spell with Coventry, Southworth was brought into the first team fold at Sandy Park. Since then, he has featured in three topflight competitions – the Premiership Cup, the Gallagher Premiership and the Investec Champions Cup.

A move away from Devon is a slightly daunting prospect for the local boy but he is excited by the prospect of a new adventure in his rugby career.

“It’s been amazing playing alongside some of the same boys that I’ve grown up with and they will be friends for life. I’ve absolutely loved my time at Exeter Chiefs, so it was a really difficult decision to leave.

“To make my Premiership debut was a dream come true. And to know I’m leaving Chiefs having had the honour of being a part of the squad that won the Premiership Cup and to have played in a quarter final in Toulouse – those are memories that will last a lifetime.

“I’d like to thank Rob Baxter and all the coaching staff for having signed me at a young age and for helping me to develop throughout my time here.

“I’ve spent six seasons at Sandy Park, so I feel like a new challenge is a great opportunity for me. It will be very hard to leave but I feel like testing myself in a new environment will be good for me at this stage in my career. So, I’m really excited to get started.”

Starting next season, Southworth – who is Welsh qualified through his grandmother – will be looking to learn from the experience of international props Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti.

The club would like to thank Danny for his time as an Exeter Chief and wish him well for the future.