University game highlights pathway into Chiefs Women’s team

Tomorrow’s Allianz PWR game between Exeter Chiefs Women and Loughborough Lightening (KO 14:30) will be preceded by University of Exeter versus University of Edinburgh (KO 12:00) in the BUCS league.

This fixture will see nine members of the Chiefs squad take to the field in their university colours to clearly illustrate the pathway from the BUCS league to the Allianz PWR.

Current University of Exeter student Katie Buchanan has experienced this pathway and is looking forward to the double header:

The winger said: “In my first year at university, I just played for the BUCS side, and then last year I played between the two, and this year, I have just been with Chiefs. The work they have done as a programme and as a pathway with each other has been really good.

“Poppy Leitch has been so helpful and is a key part of both teams as the captain (of Chiefs) and the head coach (of the university team). She’s really helped me with my transition and is always there to help anyone on the pathway. It’s a really good set-up and I am just happy I have been able to be part of it.”

She added: “I think it’s a great event for women’s rugby in the South West having the double header with the university girls who I obviously know a lot of as I’m part of the EURFC Women’s set-up. It will be a great day of exposure for women’s rugby.”

Both games are part of the season ticket package or tickets are £11 for adults and £5.50 for students and under 16s. The England v Ireland Six Nations game will be shown in the bar afterwards.

University of Exeter Women:

15 Harriette Bond

14 Connie Clarke

13 Naomi Brennan (c)

12 Sophie Langford

11 Danielle Preece

10 Lottie Dads

9 Ffion Marshall

1 Lucy Ward

2 Phoenix Davis

3 Alessia Skeates

4 Andie Keyte