Bailey signs new contract with Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs lock Joe Bailey has agreed a new deal with the club ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The former U20 World Championship winner has featured regularly throughout the domestic and European cup blocks this season.

Bailey said: “I’m delighted to re-sign with Exeter Chiefs. This is my boyhood club, I’ve come through the pathway here having originally been a kid who used to come to games as a fan, so it was an easy decision to stay.

“We’ve got a really tight and ambitious group, so I feel like we’ve really got the ability to achieve great things in the near future. My immediate goal is to break into the first team and become a regular, and this is the club I want to do that at.”

The lock made his Chiefs debut in September 2022 at just 18-years-old and in the seasons that have followed, has added to his tally of 12 appearances.

Introduced to the Chiefs environment for the 2022/23 season, Bailey had already shown real promise in the Chiefs Academy set-up at Exeter College. The young forward further developed his talent during a successful career with EURFC at the University of Exeter.

Bailey’s potential was also recognised by England selectors when he was named as part of the 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship squad for England. It would prove to be a victorious summer for you youngster who, alongside three of his Chiefs club teammates, lifted the world age-grade crown.

Director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Joe is a young man who has taken our academy pathway route via the university and had some very successful time with EURFC where he was a key player for them in a number of important games.

“He was also an important player in past England U20s teams and has gone on to show real quality while on loan to Plymouth Albion this season. It’s great to have seen him come into the senior group in recent PREM Cup and Challenge Cup matches.

“Joe is a young man who we think has great potential. Where he settles into the team, whether in the second row or back row, is yet to be decided but he’s certainly got the attributes to be a good back five forward. Our job and his is to help him maximise the potential that he undoubtably has.”