Young Chiefs heading for more international honours

As the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship continues in Georgia, involving three U20s men’s players from Chiefs, four women’s players have been called up to England Students.

The University of Exeter has provided six players to the England Students squad, including Sophie Langford, who has played 23 times for Chiefs, plus Hannah Sams, Eva Sterritt and Lucy Ward.

England Students’ game against the UK Armed Forces on Saturday at Farnham Rugby Club (KO 17:00) will mark Sams’ return to action after recovering from a dislocated shoulder and surgery last season to play a season here before returning to Chiefs in March.

This will also be Langford’s last rugby action in this country before she heads to Japan

The University will also field Izzy Newnes-Smith and Anna Richardson.

U23s lead Poppy Leitch will also be assisting England Students’ head coach Dave Ward.

Meanwhile, Chiefs and England U20s centre Nick Lilley will start against Argentina U20s later today while scrum-half Geroge Neman will be expected to make an impact off the bench. Lock Luke Evans has also been named on the bench for Wales U20s to play South Africa.