Wales star's Exeter Chiefs exit and new PREM club confirmed

Welsh international Christ Tshiunza says that he is targeting silverware after it was confirmed that he is joining Sale Sharks from Gallagher Premiership rivals Exeter Chiefs on an initial one-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 season.

RugbyPass revealed a couple of weeks ago that the Sharks had completed a deal for Tshiunza, 24, who stands at 6’6” and has spent six years with the Chiefs, who couldn’t offer him a new deal because of EQP regulations after coming through Cardiff’s academy.

Tshiunza, who has won 15 Welsh caps, the last in November 2024, has struggled with a foot injury for the past year and has played only four times this season, the most recent in the Premiership Rugby Cup final defeat to Leicester Tigers.

And he says that Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson sold him the dream of competing for trophies next season, and joins a growing contingent of Welsh players who are moving to the Sharks this summer.

“When I spoke to Alex, he was talking about how he really wanted to compete for the big trophies, and that really excited me. He talked about the plans for the future of the club, and it was something that I wanted to be a part of.

“I’ve played against Sale loads of times, and as an opposition player, you always know that it’s going to be a really tough, physical game that’ll be won by the pack.

“It’s always the most physical game of the season, and that always excited me because I love that side of the game. Other teams have a real fear of playing Sale because of that physical challenge, and I can’t wait to be on the other side of that.

“I’m also really looking forward to playing with the other Welsh lads who are joining – Nicky Smith and Tomas Francis – and some of the guys I know from Exeter. I’ve been at Exeter for a long time, and I think it’ll be good for me to experience a new environment with new faces and new players to learn from.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Chiefs over the past five seasons. Being able to play alongside some of my best mates has been incredibly special, and it’s a club where I’ve learned a lot and achieved some great things.

“That said, I’m looking forward to exploring a new chapter in my playing career. I’m fully fit now and can’t wait to get back out there with the boys and hopefully finish the season strong with some trophies to show for it,” he said.

Sanderson admits that he is looking forward to giving Tshiunza, who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the stage to enable him to win back his place in Steve Tandy’s squad.

“Christ is a really intelligent, powerful, supremely dynamic player with a backstory that tells you a lot about how much his career matters to him.

“When you understand where he’s come from to become an international rugby player, it strengthens the belief that his best days are ahead of him.

“He’s got so much ability and raw power, and hopefully together we can put him back in a Wales shirt and help him fulfil his massive potential.”