Salvin bolsters Exeter squad with addition of Scantlebury and Febrey

Ellen Scantlebury and Eleanor Febrey have signed for Exeter Chiefs ahead of the ninth round of Premiership Women’s Rugby action.

Both have previous PWR experience. Scantlebury recently departed Loughborough Lightning, for whom she made 22 appearances and scored two tries.

The 22-year-old has arrived to provide vital back three cover after the departure of Maddie Flutey to New Zealand, a delay in Claudia Moloney-MacDonald’s return from injury and with Sabrina Poulin representing Canada on the HSBC SVNS Series for the next fortnight.

Febrey has previously turned out for Gloucester Hartpury and Worcester Warriors. The hooker has also represented Bath and spent a chunk of last year in New Zealand where she played in the Farah Palmer Cup.

Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach Steve Salvin said: “Merryn Elworthy has had a minor op that will keep her out for a few weeks, Claudia Moloney-MacDonald has had a slight delay in her return to play, and Sammy Harris has broken her hand.

“With Maddie Flutey now back in New Zealand and Sabrina Poulin away with Canadian sevens for a couple of weeks, the chance to bring in someone of Ellen’s quality, pace and with such a fantastic try-scoring record made a huge amount of sense.

“El Febrey joined us on trial after Christmas and has done really well in training and with her PWR experience at Worcester and playing rugby in New Zealand, we expect her to be a fantastic addition.”

Both players come from nearby Cheddar in Somerset, making their arrival at Sandy Park more of a homecoming ahead of crucial league clashes with Leicester Tigers, Harlequins, Loughborough Lightning and Saracens across the next month.

Scantlebury said: “I’m super excited to join Chiefs. My family have been long-term supporters of the club, so to now be part of it myself feels really special and something me and my family are hugely proud of.”

Febrey said: “I’m excited to be joining Exeter Chiefs for the remainder if the Premiership season. It’s a fantastic opportunity and one I’m really looking forward to.”