Edinburgh Rugby have secured the signing of highly-rated Exeter Chiefs centre Charlie McCaig ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 22-year-old, who hails from Honiton, is set to join the Scottish capital club after progressing through the ranks of the Chiefs’ player pathway.
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? "A dream come true" – McCaig bids farewell to Sandy Park
“Becoming an Exeter Chief was a childhood dream come true,” McCaig said. “And running out at Sandy Park was the moment that dream became a reality.
“I supported this club for 10 years before joining the academy, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to grow both as a player and a person within the Chiefs environment.
"Now, as I prepare to begin a new chapter in my career with Edinburgh, I do so with real excitement for what lies ahead. Exeter will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything this club has given me.”
? Sidmouth to Sandy Park – The rise of Charlie McCaig
McCaig’s rugby journey began aged just six at Sidmouth RFC, eventually catching the attention of Chiefs selectors via the club’s Developing Player Programme (DPP). He later shone at the University of Exeter, becoming a standout figure in the side that clinched BUCS glory in 2022.
More recently, McCaig has been a key presence in the Chiefs’ wider training squad, while gaining valuable senior experience on loan with the Cornish Pirates in the Championship.
? “A talented player we’ll keep an eye on” – Baxter backs McCaig for success
Chiefs boss Rob Baxter praised McCaig’s efforts and explained the decision behind the move:
“Charlie is one of those guys that has probably been a little bit unfortunate in the strength of depth we’ve had across the centre group as it has meant he’s not quite broken through into the senior group.
“Behind him, we’re bringing through guys like Nick Lilley and Nic Allison who are playing for England U20, so Charlie has become a little stuck in the middle ground.
“Charlie has been playing very well for Cornish Pirates on loan. He’s a talented player who still has a lot of rugby in him, so he’s someone we’ll certainly keep an eye on.
“We wish him all the very best for the future but like all the guys that leave us, he hopefully leaves in a position that, if the opportunity arises, we can approach him to return.”
EDITORS PICKS:
BEST RUGBY FREE AGENTS:
With the transfer market heating up, we've scoured the rugby world to build a free-agent dream team. These are the best unattached players currently on the market – stacked with international pedigree, World Cup experience, and raw power waiting for the right deal.
? Back Three
Leigh Halfpenny (Harlequins)
Wales and Lions legend. A metronomic boot, safe under the high ball, and still one of the best defensive fullbacks in the game.
Wales and Lions legend. A metronomic boot, safe under the high ball, and still one of the best defensive fullbacks in the game.
Liam Williams (Saracens)
The 'Bomb Defuser' is fearless in the air and electric in open play. A British & Irish Lion with big-game pedigree.
The 'Bomb Defuser' is fearless in the air and electric in open play. A British & Irish Lion with big-game pedigree.
Santiago Cordero (Connacht)
Argentina's elusive wizard. Lightning feet, low centre of gravity – a nightmare for defenders on the wing or at fullback.
Argentina's elusive wizard. Lightning feet, low centre of gravity – a nightmare for defenders on the wing or at fullback.
? Centres
Lennox Anyanwu (Harlequins)
A breakout talent with serious attacking flair and physical presence. One for the future – if he lands in the right setup.
A breakout talent with serious attacking flair and physical presence. One for the future – if he lands in the right setup.
Chris Harris (Gloucester)
One of the most reliable defensive centres in Europe. A rock for Scotland and a Lions tourist in 2021.
One of the most reliable defensive centres in Europe. A rock for Scotland and a Lions tourist in 2021.
Will Addison (Sale Sharks)
Versatile, classy, and smart. Can slot in across the backline. Injuries have slowed him, but still bags of talent to offer.
Versatile, classy, and smart. Can slot in across the backline. Injuries have slowed him, but still bags of talent to offer.
? Fly-Halves
Jimmy Gopperth (Provence)
Veteran Kiwi playmaker. 41 years old and still pulling strings with his game management and goalkicking nous.
Veteran Kiwi playmaker. 41 years old and still pulling strings with his game management and goalkicking nous.
Billy Burns (Munster)
An Ireland international with Super Rugby heritage. Classy distributor and calm under pressure.
An Ireland international with Super Rugby heritage. Classy distributor and calm under pressure.
Freddie Burns
Clutch drop-goal hero in Leicester’s 2022 Premiership title win. A wildcard 10 with a golden boot and a point to prove.
Clutch drop-goal hero in Leicester’s 2022 Premiership title win. A wildcard 10 with a golden boot and a point to prove.
⚡ Scrum-Halves
Ali Price (Edinburgh)
A British & Irish Lion with pace, sharp service, and attacking instincts. Still plenty to offer at the top level.
A British & Irish Lion with pace, sharp service, and attacking instincts. Still plenty to offer at the top level.
Conor Murray (Munster)
Ireland’s legendary No.9. Over 100 caps and a tactical maestro. Slower these days, but leadership is priceless.
Ireland’s legendary No.9. Over 100 caps and a tactical maestro. Slower these days, but leadership is priceless.
Ratko Jelic (Zebre)
Italian-qualified and showing promise. Not a household name yet, but clubs looking long-term should take note.
Italian-qualified and showing promise. Not a household name yet, but clubs looking long-term should take note.
?️ Props
Mayco Vivas (Gloucester)
Powerhouse Argentine loosehead. Still young and coming into his prime. Brings scrum stability and South American steel.
Powerhouse Argentine loosehead. Still young and coming into his prime. Brings scrum stability and South American steel.
Paula Latu (Dragons)
Tongan bulldozer. Aggressive in the carry and an underrated scrummager. Low-cost, high-impact option.
Tongan bulldozer. Aggressive in the carry and an underrated scrummager. Low-cost, high-impact option.
Javan Sebastian (Edinburgh)
Welsh tighthead with international experience and a reputation for scrum dominance. Solid and dependable.
Welsh tighthead with international experience and a reputation for scrum dominance. Solid and dependable.
? Hookers
Julian Montoya (Leicester Tigers)
Pumas skipper. World-class set-piece operator and ferocious at the breakdown. Arguably the top hooker available.
Pumas skipper. World-class set-piece operator and ferocious at the breakdown. Arguably the top hooker available.
Agustin Creevy (Benetton)
42 and still going strong. A leader, an enforcer, and an asset in the locker room.
42 and still going strong. A leader, an enforcer, and an asset in the locker room.
Luca Bigi (Zebre)
Former Italy captain. Great throw, good work rate, and no-nonsense attitude. Ready-made depth for any club.
Former Italy captain. Great throw, good work rate, and no-nonsense attitude. Ready-made depth for any club.
? Second Row
Jonny Hill (Sale Sharks)
England international with top-tier Premiership and Lions experience. Brings muscle and an edge.
England international with top-tier Premiership and Lions experience. Brings muscle and an edge.
Adam Beard (Ospreys)
6’8” Welshman with a high work rate and line-out savvy. Offers grunt and leadership in equal measure.
6’8” Welshman with a high work rate and line-out savvy. Offers grunt and leadership in equal measure.
Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks)
Versatile lock/back-row hybrid. Explosive ball-carrier and dominant in collisions.
Versatile lock/back-row hybrid. Explosive ball-carrier and dominant in collisions.
? Back Row
Zach Mercer (Gloucester)
Former England No.8. Huge in the Top 14, and now a dynamic, offloading force. Deserves another Test shot.
Former England No.8. Huge in the Top 14, and now a dynamic, offloading force. Deserves another Test shot.
Nathan Hughes (Black Rams Tokyo)
A wrecking ball at his best. Former England international with elite power and strong Super Rugby credentials.
A wrecking ball at his best. Former England international with elite power and strong Super Rugby credentials.
Ruan Ackermann (Gloucester)
Underrated dynamo. Ball-carrying machine and relentless tackler. South African steel meets Premiership polish.
Underrated dynamo. Ball-carrying machine and relentless tackler. South African steel meets Premiership polish.
Quiz! Can you name every club that has played in the Premiership?
London Welsh were the last new team to play in the Gallagher Premiership back in 2011 – can you name the others?
You have five minutes to name every club to have played in the Gallagher Premiership, all 28 of them, since the division was established back in 1987.
Good luck, and let us know how you do
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