Three Players Added to Chiefs Women's Squad

Exeter Chiefs Women have added another three players to their squad ahead of the latter part of the season.

While the domestic league is currently taking a break to accommodate the Guinness Women’s Six Nations, Chiefs’ head coach Susie Appleby has been recruiting extra players to cover the absence of injured or international squad members.

In the wake of the announcement of former England prop Sasha Acheson coming out of retirement, the club has also added Charlie Budge from Chiefs’ feeder club Exeter Athletic, and Connie Clarke and Lucy Ward, who play for Exeter University.

Budge’s return to professional rugby will make her Exeter Chiefs Women’s first-ever player to have given birth. She will be familiar to the Sandy Park faithful having played a season for the club before leaving in 2021 to have her little boy Bohdie, now three.

The 24-year-old played four games after making her debut against Gloucester-Hartpury in October 2020. After giving birth, she spent a year and a half with Ivybridge Women before transferring to Exeter Athletic where she was coached by her former team and house mate, Poppy Leitch.

Budge said: “I always wanted to come back but being a mum means trying to balance it all and wondering when it’s the right time.

“I went straight back to rugby after having Bohdie but went to Ivybridge. I wanted to do a transition period where it was not too much of a jump. Then Poppy asked me to go to Exeter Athletic where I could up the training as well.

“I had to make sure my head was still in it, and it was not a chore. But I am still so young and now I feel like it is time. I am so excited!”

Both wing Clarke and prop Ward played for Exeter University in the double header fixture that saw them beat the University of Edinburgh side in the BUCS league ahead of Chiefs Women’s game against Loughborough Lightning.

The university pathway has already produced numerous Exeter Chiefs Women’s players with EURFC Women’s head coach and Chiefs captain Leitch the link between the two.

Head coach Susie Appleby said: “It’s a great time to bolster the squad, heading into the play-offs in the cup and the league. Connie and Lucy have both been excellent in BUCS and add to several students already contracted at Chiefs. Charlie has been playing well for Exeter Athletic. Poppy Leitch has done a great job with the university programme and Exeter Athletic, who will be promoted this season.

“It’s proof that our pathway is succeeding, we are bringing home grown players through into Chiefs, and I’m looking forward to seeing what they can all contribute in these latter stages of the season.”