Exeter Chiefs to raid Premiership rival for new lock
Exeter Chiefs‘ plans for the 2019/20 season are set to take another step forward in the coming weeks, as they prepare to confirm the arrival of a new second row.
The Gallagher Premiership leaders have seen homegrown product Sam Skinner commit his international future to Scotland this season, something which has seen their resources in the engine room stretched thin during international windows, especially with Jonny Hill‘s recent absence due to injury. Skinner’s RPI of 91 and Hill’s score of 87 make them the second and third highest rated locks in the Premiership respectively, with only Maro Itoje, 92, ahead of them.
With Hill also likely to be on the international radar in 2019/20, having toured South Africa with England last year, albeit without winning a debut cap, the club are clearly keen to strengthen their stock of second rows.
RugbyPass sources understand that Newcastle Falcons lock Will Witty is the man that Exeter have agreed to bring in, with the former England U20 set to sign a two-year deal in Devon.
Witty had a breakout campaign for Newcastle last season, featuring prominently alongside Calum Green, and established himself as a very adept lineout forward. Between he and Green, visitors to Kingston Park were put under constant pressure at the set-piece, whilst the pair also helped to provide the platform from which Falcons flourished last season.
The 6′ 5″ forward was a part of the England side that made it to the final of the 2015 World Rugby U20 Championship, starting alongside Charlie Ewels, as well as other senior England internationals Ellis Genge and Paul Hill.
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Only eligible for England and facing stiff competition at his position internationally, Exeter will have an effective lineout operator in Witty that they should be able to rely on for the entire season, something which is valued particularly highly in the south-west, with the club’s proficiency at the set-piece and with their driving maul often paramount to their success.
Witty could find himself in a competition with Mitch Lees, Dave Dennis, Ollie Atkins and Sean Lonsdale to regularly feature alongside Skinner and Hill next season, although both Dennis and Atkins are in contract years and could end up moving on in the summer.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Completely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
54 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
54 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
54 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to comments