Chiefs Women bid farewell to outgoing players

Exeter Chiefs Women will bid farewell to seven players at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Among those confirmed so far will be Canadian hooker and crowd favourite Emily Tuttosi who is heading back to Canada to take on a coaching role. The 30-year-old joined Chiefs in their inaugural season. She has played 88 games for the club and scored 31 tries.

Tuttosi will be joined on the leavers’ list by former Ireland captain Edel ‘Tricky’ McMahon, who has been with the club since 2022. Operations to both knees have meant the flanker has not been able take part in the 2025/26 season for club or country. Known for her intense physicality and game intelligence, McMahon has played 26 games for the club.

Canadian international lock Abby Duguid will be retiring from the game after being recruited at the start of this season following injuries to McMahon and Taz Bricknell.

Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach Steve Salvin said: “All these players are internationals who have served us so well over the years. Emily has been at Chiefs longer than I have. She is experienced, she is hard-working and the very epitome of a team player on and off the pitch. She will be sorely missed.

“Tricky is a true an ambassador for the women’s game. She has been through adversity with her injuries but has always come back stronger while remaining a positive influence from the sidelines.

“Abby arrived at Sandy Park to help us overcome an injury crisis. She was a welcome addition to our squad and fully contributed to our campaign this season. As with all our players leaving us at the end of the season, I wish her well.”

Exeter-born prop Abby Middlebrooke will also swap a Chiefs jersey for PWR action elsewhere as she graduates from the University of Exeter. The former Devon captain has played 32 times for the club during a six-year tenure with Chiefs. Other leavers include Eleanor Febrey, Hannah Bluck and Ellen Scantlebury.

Salvin added: “It is always hard to say goodbye to our departing players. They have worn the Chiefs jersey with pride, and we are honoured they chose us as their club for even a short while.”