Stu Townsend Signs for Harlequins for 2025/26 Season

Exeter Chiefs scrum half Stu Townsend has agreed a move to Harlequins for the 2025/26 season.

The 29-year-old scrum half will join the London Gallagher Premiership side after over a decade as a Chief, during which time he won two Premiership titles and a Champions Cup trophy.

“Exeter Chiefs has meant everything to me,” Townsend said. “It’s been my home for over half of my life.

“I’ve had some unbelievable highs at the club and the lowest of lows. It’s been one hell of a rollercoaster, but I’ve loved every minute.

“My decision to move on was a tough decision but I felt it was the right time to move on and I’m extremely excited about the new opportunity I’ve been given.

“I will always look back with great memories at Sandy Park and I wish everyone at the club the best for the future. I’ll be back for a beer or two for sure!”

Called up to the Chiefs ranks full-time from Cornish Pirates in 2016 due to an injury crisis at nine, Townsend became a breakthrough star and ultimately started the 2016/17 Twickenham Final at the end of his first full season.

The fan-favourite scrum half started his rugby journey at local club Kingsbridge before being brought into the Chiefs Academy system whilst at Ivybridge Community College.

While honing his craft, Towsend featured for England U20, National League One side Taunton Titans and RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates.

Over the years, injury has hampered some of Townsend’s momentum on the pitch, but he always worked tirelessly to return to action. Since his debut in an Anglo-Welsh cup clash in 2012 and that impressive first full season in 16/17, Townsend has made 125 overall club appearances.

A mainstay in the Chiefs changing room, and an important character amongst the squad, Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter acknowledged Townsend’s important contributions over the last decade.

“Stu has been an incredible player for the club. He came through the academy, worked his way into the senior side and has played a large part in a period of dominance in the Premiership for Chiefs.

“He’s played in finals for us and been a very successful player here for us. He’s had his issues with injuries throughout his career, but he’s always battled through really hard to fight his way back into the team and back into our front-line group.

“We really appreciate everything he has done for us. I think now is an interesting time for him and probably a good time for him to experience something else in rugby and in life in general. I hope a move to London is something that he can really enjoy.

“We wish him all the very best. We know we’ll bump into him in the future, so it’ll always be good to catch up with him.”

Townsend, who became a Chiefs centurion earlier this season, will have one last chance to run out at Sandy Park in next weekend’s final 2024/25 fixture against Sale Sharks.