TomCairns

Young scrum-half Tom Cairns started playing rugby at a young age at local club, Teignmouth RFC, where he gradually worked his way up through the age groups.

Even at an early age, it was clear that Cairns had some real potential and having been identified through Exeter's DPP programme, he soon joined the Chiefs Academy.

Working closely with Exeter skills coach Ricky Pellow, prior to the 2023/24 season Cairns had already been exposed to senior rugby playing with Plymouth Albion in National League One, as well as for Chiefs in the Premiership Rugby Cup, making his first team debut in November 2021 against Bristol Bears.

Like many of the club's aspiring young players, he combined the start of his playing career at Sandy Park with studying at the nearby University of Exeter.

Cairns made his PREM debut for the club in an away clash with Saracens at the end of 2022.