Ryall heads home to Exeter Chiefs Women

Devon-produced scrum-half Tilly Ryall will head home next season after a signing a deal with Exeter Chiefs Women.

Previously on the books with Chiefs, but never made an appearance, Ryall will be hoping to get time in the Chiefs jersey in 2026/27.

Ryall said: “I have grown up so much since I was last here. People will still think I am the 18-year-old who tried their best but did not get that far. Now I can introduce myself as an adult! I am definitely ready to push on with my rugby career and have some fun being back at home.”

Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach Steve Salvin said: “We know Tilly from her first stint at Sandy Park and it has been great to watch her grow at Super BUCS and PWR level in the last of couple of years. We are proud of our pathway and Tilly being a Devon girl is a real bonus. She is young, talented and has huge room for growth, so we are very excited to welcome Tilly back to Chiefs.

Ryall was born in Valréas in France but moved to Devon with her family when she was 11 years old. She started playing rugby when she was 12 for Kingsbridge RFC and waspart of the successful cohort that won the U15s and U18s National Cups.

She studied for her A-levels at Hartpury College before progressing to Hartpury University to study for a BSc degree in strength and conditioning. Ryall had a pre-season with Gloucester Hartpury but spent the first year at university playing BUCS rugby before signing a contract with Bristol Bears.

The 22-year-old said: “Sandy Park games have always felt like home games, even though I was playing for Bristol, because all my family and friends were there. I grew up in France, but from the time I lived in England, Devon has always been home. When I left Chiefs, I always thought I would come back. I am a very outdoorsy person – I like paddle-boarding and surfing – so Devon allows me to do all the hobbies I like to do.”