Chiefs add former Wales U20s Tuipulotu to squad

Exeter Chiefs have signed free agent back-rower Carwyn Tuipulotu for the 2026/27 season.

The 24-year-old, who was born in Wales to former Tongan international back-rower Kati Tuipulotu, switches the south west of France for the south west of England having spent the last year playing for Section Paloise, known as Pau.

Tuipulotusaid: “After speaking to boys that have been in and around Chiefs, they all spoke so highly of the club and its culture. Speaking to Joe [Simmonds] and Harry [Williams] out in France, they highlighted how family-orientated the club is which matches perfectly with my background and the culture I come from.

“I’m excited to have the chance to hopefully share the shirt with Greg [Fisilau]. Having grown up together, our families are just as excited. We’re cousins but we grew up like brothers, so this is an extremely special opportunity.

“I’m really looking forward to ripping in with the boys and trying to contribute to what the club is pushing to achieve.”

Following his summer exit from the French Top14, Tuipulotu, who specialises at No.8, has been training with Welsh side Dragons to maintain his fitness levels.

First picking up a rugby ball at age nine with New Brighton RFC, it was after attending Sedbergh School that the back-rower was brought into the Welsh Rugby development system through the Scarlets Rugby academy.

Playing for Wales U20s alongside current Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins, Tuipulotu made his senior Scarlets debut against Leinster in January 2021 and earned a senior contract just one month later.

For the next four years, he made more than 45 appearances for the region, his defensive work-rate and hard carrying style into contact becoming his calling card. In January 2025, he went on loan to Gallagher PREM side Saracens before confirming his move to France a couple of months later.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Looking at our squad, and our available depth at the moment with the likes of Richard Capstick still having a long-term injury to rehab from, we’ve taken the opportunity to strengthen our numbers at the start of the season using an injury dispensation slot.

“My attention was brought to Carwyn, as he’s actually someone I had looked at before after being impressed with his ball-carrying ability. I liked what I saw in some of his final games of last season for Pau, so I felt he’d be a good addition to us and different to the players we already have.

“So, we’ve moved pretty quickly to bring him in. It’ll be good to see him bring strength to the depth of our squad and we look forward to seeing him pull on a Chiefs shirt in the near future.”

Tuipulotu will join up with the squad this week and be available for selection immediately.