Alessia Skeates

About Alessia
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

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.”

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