BREAKING: Yet another Exeter Chiefs star departs for Premiership rival

Tuesday, 18 April 2023 at 10:16

byRugby Rucker

Exeter Chiefs back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow is joining Newcastle Falcons in the summer, with the former Scotland Under-20s international arriving on a two-year deal.

Leatherbarrow, who turned 21 earlier this month, is a former Sale Sharks Under-18s captain who headed to Devon to study for an economics degree at Exeter University.

Captaining his university in the BUCS Super Rugby competition as well as representing the Chiefs, the 6 foot 1 forward said: “I’m massively excited by the move and the chance to be part of the Newcastle squad.

“It’s a big opportunity for me to become a better player and a better person in a great environment as a club, and in an exciting city.”

Qualifying for Scotland due to his grandmother coming from Perth, the back-rower explained: “I was born in Macclesfield, and my first club was Knutsford.

“I was in Sale Sharks’ academy from age 15 to 18, and then captained their Under-18s team before deciding to move down to Exeter for university.

“I played Under-16s for Scotland, the 18s stuff was cancelled due to Covid and then I came back and played two years of Under-20s for them once things started getting back to normal. I got 11 caps for the Under-20s in the end, which was a big honour, and I really enjoyed it.”

EXETER DEPARTURES:

#1. Ollie Leatherbarrow to Newcastle (Confirmed)

#2. Stuart Hogg - Retiring (Confirmed)

Try Celebrations for Stuart Hogg of Exeter Chiefs during the European Rugby Champions Cup Match between Exeter Chiefs and Montpellier at Sandy Park on 11 December 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#3. Sam Simmonds to Montpellier (Confirmed)

Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#4. Luke Cowan-Dickie to Montpellier (Confirmed)

Exeter Chiefs player Luke Cowan-Dickie during the warm up before Gallagher Premiership Match between Wasps and Exeter Chiefs at the Coventry Building Society Arena, Coventry on October 16th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

#5. Harry Williams to Montpellier (Confirmed)

Exeter Chiefs player Harry Williams attacks Northampton Saints player Ehren Painter during the Gallagher Premiership rugby game between Northampton Saints and Exeter Chiefs at Franklins Gardens, Northampton on June 6th - PHOTO: Steve Bond/PPAUK

#6. Joe Simmonds to Pau (Reported)

Exeter Chiefs player Joe Simmonds during the warm up before the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Sale Sharks and Exeter Chiefs at the AJ Bell Stadium on October 1st. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK

#7. Dave Ewers to Ulster (Confirmed)

Dave Ewers of Exeter Chiefs is tackled by Scott Baldwin of Worcester Warriors during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on 9 Oct 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#8. Jannes Kirsten to Bulls (Confirmed)

#9. Sean O'Brien to Munster (Reported)

#10. Jack Nowell to La Rochelle (Reported)

Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester Rugby at Sandy Park, Exeter on 28th January 2023. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

exeter chiefs