World Cup-winning Black Ferns prop named in Exeter leadership group

Rugby World Cup 2021 winner Amy Rule has been named a vice-captain for Exeter Chiefs’ JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup campaign.

The 26-year-old joined the Devon club after she helped the Black Ferns to a third-place finish at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Rule has not turned out for New Zealand since the bronze medal match at Allianz Stadium last September and made 14 PWR appearances in her debut Chiefs season as the club reached the play-offs. In June she started in the back-row for the Barbarians.

She has been named vice-captain alongside club centurion Merry Elworthy. Capped Red Rose, Emily Robinson, is installed as captain.

Rule said: “I am really excited. It was definitely unexpected when I got the phone call, but I am just excited for the opportunity. I am excited for the cup and just to play with the girls and get back into it.

“I hope I do justice for the girls. I’m not the biggest speaker; I will speak when I need to speak. I am hoping to lead through actions and what I do on and off the field.

“I missed the cup last season, so I am excited to get fully back into the swing of things with training. I just love to play footie so a few extra games isn’t going to be too bad, is it?”

Exeter start their PWR Next Gen Cup campaign against Leicester Tigers on Sunday 27 September. It will be a first chance for Oli Bishop to see his team in action following his promotion to head coach this summer.

Bishop said: “The three leaders we decided to pick are based on the work they have done for us in the past. They hugely represent the club on and off the pitch.

“They definitely want to grow our team and are huge in our team-first attitude. With a young group going into this Cup campaign, we will be relying on their experience and the work they have done previously to lead us through the campaign.”