Pearson prepares for ninth season as a Chief

Exeter Chiefs lock Lewis Pearson has signed a new deal with the club as the academy produced forward prepares for his ninth season as a Chief in 2026/27.

Having made his senior debut in a PREM Rugby Cup match in 2018, Pearson has bided his time but became a first team regular during the 2023/24 season and now has 65 club appearances.

Pearson said: “I’m really happy to have re-signed with Chiefs. The environment we have here, being in a squad with my mates, it really feels like a family with people that have been together for a few years now.

“Getting to run out at Sandy Park in front of such loyal supporters is really special. I think there is a real chance we could add more trophies to our cabinet in the future and to get to do that in front of my family and friends would be amazing.”

Growing up less than an hour from Sandy Park in Seaton, South Devon, Pearson laid the foundations of his rugby career with Sidmouth RFC. Inducted into the Chiefs Academy while a student at Exeter College, Pearson won the ACE League while there.

Progressing to senior rugby exposure while dual-registered with Plymouth Albion and Cornish Pirates, the 26-year-old continued to show real drive on the pitch. His patience was rewarded with his Chiefs debut against Harlequins in November 2018.

Coming into prominence in the Chiefs squad during their impressive 2023 run, in which they reached an Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Stade Toulousain, Pearson has demonstrated continual development to the Chiefs coaches.

His commitment resulted in him earning the captain’s armband in a run of games this season in the EPCR Challenge Cup and the Prem Rugby Cup.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “It’s great to give Lewis a new deal. He is a local guy who, having come through the academy, has already had a relatively long career with us already. He’s played a lot of rugby for us, has captained the side at times, and we think he’s one of those guys who is great to have around the squad.

“He’s a good player who is continually improving. I think he’s getting more and more right in his game and in his preparation. I think we’re going to see better rugby from him going forward, which is one of the most pleasing things.

“Being a key, young member of the squad who already has experience of what being a Chief is all about, we see him being a very important squad member going forward.”