Dynamic duo excited for cup action

Today’s game against Sale Sharks will see Chiefs Women’s Kayleigh Priest and Hannah Sams take to the field for the first time as starting XV players in the cup.

Never often seen apart off the field, Priest will back up her JAECOO PWR debut from last season with a start at hooker at the Molson Stadium (KO 14:00) alongside Sams, who has made her return from three injuries in 2025/26.

Both brought up in Ivybridge, they played their junior rugby for Kingsbridge RFC before heading to Exeter College. Priest works for Chiefs Community team while Sams is studying at the University of Exeter.

As a result, both have been around the Chiefs programme for several seasons with Sams making her debut in 2023 and Priest in 2025. However, the pair both suffered injuries in the cup last season which prevent them from adding to their Chiefs caps.

Sams said: “I dislocated my shoulder in October last year and then I had a shoulder surgery to help recover from that. Eight months later, before my first contact session, I got a little tear in my meniscus, so I was out for six weeks with that. And then on my first game back for England Students, I did my ACJ so then I was out for four weeks with that one but now I am officially back and ready to go!”

Priest picked up an ankle injury at the start of last season but regained fitness in time to make an unexpected lengthy appearance against Gloucester Hartpury in the league after El Febrey suffered a shoulder dislocation in the second minute of the game.

“Most of it was a blur,” said Priest. “But it was really good. I remember just being so happy afterwards.”

Sams made her official return from injury against Leicester Tigers Women last weekend when she got a full half at Sandy Park in Chiefs’ 67-13 victory in the second round of the JAECOO Next Gen Cup while Priest had to wait for the squad rotation to reach her this weekend.

Priest, who turned 21 last week, said: “I’m really excited. This is going to be my first proper cup experience, so hoping that we both don't get injured in the same game like last year! Touch wood for that!”

Following on from Chiefs Women’s trip to Sale, the squad will head home to prepare for Loughborough Lightning at Sandy Park on Saturday, 10 October (KO 15:00).

Sams scored a try on her first appearance at home in the cup three seasons ago, so has fond memories of playing at Sandy Park.

She said: “It's like no other. The supporters are amazing, they're very loud, you hear them and it just helps lift the energy and gives you that much more enthusiasm and excitement to play.”

If you want to help lift the energy next weekend, head to the Chiefs TicketHub. Tickets are just £12 for adults or £5.50 for U18s. Alternatively, invest in a seasonal membership which is now just £75.60 for adults or £34.65 for U18s.