Carwyn Tuipulotu makes immediate effect move to Gallagher PREM

Exeter Chiefs have signed former Scarlets and Pau No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu with immediate effect, strengthening Rob Baxter’s options at the start of the Gallagher PREM season.

The 24-year-old arrives as a free agent after leaving Top 14 side Pau during the summer and has most recently been training with the Dragons to maintain his fitness ahead of finding a new club.

The former Wales U20 international, who can operate across the back-row but specialises at No. 8, previously made more than 45 appearances for the Scarlets before spending part of the 2024/25 season on loan at Saracens and then moving to France.

His arrival also reunites him with Exeter back-row Greg Fisilau, his cousin, with the pair having grown up together. Tuipulotu will join Chiefs training this week and is immediately available for selection.

Baxter has used an injury dispensation slot to bring him in, with Richard Capstick still facing a lengthy rehabilitation, and believes Tuipulotu’s carrying game will add something different to his existing back-row options.

Fixture

Gallagher Premiership

Exeter Chiefs

07:00

11 Oct 26

Newcastle

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“After speaking to boys that have been in and around Chiefs, they all spoke so highly of the club and its culture,” Tuipulotu said.

“Speaking to Joe [Simmonds] and Harry [Williams] out in France, they highlighted how family-orientated the club is which matches perfectly with my background and the culture I come from.

“I’m excited to have the chance to hopefully share the shirt with Greg [Fisilau]. Having grown up together, our families are just as excited. We’re cousins but we grew up like brothers, so this is an extremely special opportunity.

“I’m really looking forward to ripping in with the boys and trying to contribute to what the club is pushing to achieve.”

Baxter added: “Looking at our squad, and our available depth at the moment with the likes of Richard Capstick still having a long-term injury to rehab from, we’ve taken the opportunity to strengthen our numbers at the start of the season using an injury dispensation slot.

“My attention was brought to Carwyn, as he’s actually someone I had looked at before after being impressed with his ball-carrying ability.

“I liked what I saw in some of his final games of last season for Pau, so I felt he’d be a good addition to us and different to the players we already have.

“So, we’ve moved pretty quickly to bring him in. It’ll be good to see him bring strength to the depth of our squad and we look forward to seeing him pull on a Chiefs shirt in the near future.”