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Exeter Chiefs sign the PWR's first ever Black Fern
By Lucy Lomax
Exeter Chiefs have announced the signing of Black Ferns tighthead prop Amy Rule. The World Cup winner will join the club following the culmination of the 2025 World Cup tournament in England.
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Premiership Women’s Rugby boasts the most international talent of any domestic league in the world, however, despite being home to multiple Canadians, Americans, Italians, Scottish, Spanish and Welsh, the league has yet to be gifted with any talent from New Zealand, until now.
Rule currently has 29 caps for New Zealand following a successful provincial and Super Rugby Aupiki career with Canterbury and Matatu. Matatu had an impressive Super Rugby Aupiki 2025 season, making the final, only to be beaten by a Portia Woodman-Wickliffe inspired Blues team.
Rule made her Black Ferns test debut in November 2021 against England in Northampton. In 2022, she was part of the Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup 2021 winning squad, and is still only 24 years of age.
Interim Exeter head coach Steve Salvin said: “Amy is the first Black Fern to be signed by a PWR club. She is a Rugby World Cup winner and a world-class tighthead. We are delighted she has chosen Exeter Chiefs and our league as her next challenge.”
Rule said: “Rugby has given me so many opportunities and has made me the person I am today. Getting the chance to join Exeter is a part of that journey to grow my rugby but also make new connections and see what the hype is about this England comp that I keep hearing about!
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“The plan is to make Black Ferns’ Rugby World Cup squad then carry on to join Exeter later in the year. All I can say at this point is all my focus is on the World Cup but once that’s done, I’m really excited to rip into the season with Exeter Chiefs and hopefully play lots of rugby and take my game to another level.”
New Zealand play Japan in the World Cup pool stages at Rule’s new home club ground Sandy Park on Sunday 31st August. Buy tickets here.
New tickets for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 are now available, with prices starting at £10 for adults and £5 for children. Buy now!
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Exeter already have Hope Rogers and DaLeaka Menin as tightheads so a little surprised that the need another international tighthead. I would have thought bolstering their back line would be more pressing.
hope rogers plays loosehead.
👍🏼