Lilley and Coen available for Plymouth Albion game time

Exeter Chiefs duo Nick Lilley and Ben Coen will be available for selection with Plymouth Albion as the National League one side deals with a couple of injuries at the start of their 2026/27 season.

Centre Lilley spent the summer competing in the World Rugby Junior World Championship with England U20s while fly-half Coen recently had a dual-registration status confirmed with Elior Champ Rugby side, Cornish Pirates.

As Albion cope with an injury to starting fly-half, and former Chiefs player, Iwan Jenkins, they will be able to call upon Coen on a short-term basis.

Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “I think a lot of responsibility relies on us to get the boys gametime. You really learn, develop and get the composure required by playing. We’ve got to find ways to get as many of our young guys playing rugby as possible.”

A handful of Chiefs players including hooker Louie Gulley and second-row Joe Bailey benefited from gametime with Albion last season as Chiefs built a relationship with the Brickfields-based club.

Albion take on London Scottish at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday, 26 September at 15:00.