Alessia Skeates
| DOB | 19/08/2004 |
|---|---|
| Born | Durham |
| Height | 5ft 5ins / 1.68m |
| Weight | 15st 10lbs / 100kg |
| Position | Prop |
|---|---|
| Total Appearances | |
| Total Tries | |
| Total Points | |
| Previous Club | Houghton-le-Spring RFC |
| Honours | England Students |
Exeter Chiefs Women signed Alessia Skeates from the University of Exeter in the spring of 2025. In doing so, the prop swapped playing BUCS rugby and studying for a degree in international relations and Spanish for life as a professional rugby player.
Having begun playing in year seven at school, a coach at Houghton-le-Springs RFC spotted Skeates at a tournament and encouraged her to join the club.
A mobile 100kg forward, Skeates initially played in the back row, earning county honours and a place at the North-East & Cumbria Centre of Excellence.
Qualified to play for both England and Italy, Skeates was persuaded to become a prop by University of Exeter coach Poppy Leitch. She helped the university side to the BUCS final as a fresher followed by two consecutive semis. Skeates scored two tries in last week’s semi-final against Loughborough University to amass 30 tries across her three years with the team.
Skeates, who can play at loose or tighthead, said: “Playing rugby at university really grew my love for the sport and has made me the person I am today. Being around the Chiefs set-up last year helped me realise rugby is what I want for my future, and this is the perfect opportunity to push myself.”
Skeates was selected to represent the England Students in August 2025.
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