Exeter recruit 'incredibly talented' Wales prop Davies for 2026/27

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed the signing of 17-cap Wales prop Maisie Davies ahead of the 2026/27 Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

Last season the 20-year-old loosehead prop made 10 appearances for Bristol Bears in her debut English top flight campaign.

Davies made her Wales debut in 2024’s WXV 2 and represented her country at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, where she made three appearances.

The 20-year-old had a rapid rise in women’s rugby after she converted from the back-row to the front-row ahead of the 2024 U20 Women’s Summer Series. Later that year Davies made her Test debut and enjoyed a strong 2024/25 Celtic Challenge season.

Oli Bishop, Exeter Chiefs assistant coach, said: “Maisie has incredible potential and at 20. She has so much room for growth.

“She is incredibly talented and also a great person, so I feel certain she will add so much to Chiefs this coming season.

“We now have three international looseheads in our squad which shows the talent and depth we are trying to build so we can hopefully kick on from a very decent season.”

Next season Davies will be competing for a slot in Exeter’s starting XV with USA international Hope Rogers and newly capped Scotland prop Demi Swann.

Exeter are currently without a head coach after the departure of Steve Salvin for a role with Sean Lynn’s Wales squad as senior forwards coach.

Davies is the third arrival at Sandy Park this offseason. Trailfinders Women’s Shya Pinnock and Bristol’s Tilly Ryall will also call Devon home next season.

Davies said: “I’m really excited to be joining Exeter Chiefs. It felt like the right place for me to take the next step.

“I’m still young and know there’s plenty more for me to learn, so I’m looking forward to challenging myself in a new environment and seeing how much I can develop as a player.”