International trio commit to the Chiefs

By Mark Stevens
24/7/21

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Player of the Year, Emily Tuttosi, is one of three internationals who have committed their futures to the Allianz Premier 15s.

The Canadian International has been joined by props Laura Delgado and Sachiko Kato in agreeing new deals with Susie Appleby’s side.

The news comes just days after Appleby confirmed that American quartet Gabby Cantona, Jennine Duncan, Rachel Johnson and Kate Zackary had themselves put pen to paper on terms with the Devon club.

Naturally, head coach Appleby is delighted that the three experienced forwards will be part of her make-up for the new 2021/22 season.

“Anyone who watched our games last season will know how strong our pack of forwards were,” said Appleby. “At the forefront of it were those girls who played in the front-row, so I’m over the moon that we have got them all on board again this season.

“When I looked at video of Sachi, you could see she was the stand-out performer. She came over here, not knowing a huge amount of English, but she settled very quickly and you could see that in her performances. She was huge for us all season and that was underlined when she was named in the Premier 15s team of the season.

“Moving forward, I can only see her getting better and better, especially with the likelihood that we will get back proper rules and more scrums.”

Joining Kato in the Chiefs front-row will be Spanish international Delgado, who like her compatriot, Patricia Garcia, was another who impressed during her debut season in the Westcountry.

“Bimba was brilliant for us and another who really helped move us on during the course of the season,” added Appleby. “Her experience, her enthusiasm and her all-round game is just a brilliant mix for us. Again, we’re expecting her to really step up and make a massive impact for us this season.”

Between Kato and Delgado they scored six tries last term and they were the lynchpins in an Exeter front-row in which Tuttosi was another key performer.

Appleby continued: “What can I say about Emily? Not only was she the coaches player of the year, but her peers thought it exactly the same, so that speaks volumes in itself.

“When you watch Emily play or train, she just gives 100 per cent every time and that’s a quality you cannot coach. On the field, she is not only a great leader, but she puts in a fantastic amount of work and her skill-set is right up there. With the World Cup coming up next year, I think Canada will see her in camp and notice the real developments she has made in her game.”