Gladiator Jodie leaves the Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs Women’s winger Jodie Ounsley has agreed an early release from the club to focus on other opportunities.

The England 7s player has made eight Chiefs appearances and scored three tries since joining the club in the summer of 2022.

Ounsley made her debut in the then Premier 15s league in November 2022 in a clash against rivals Gloucester-Hartpury. She was primed for a stellar season in 2023/24 before a shoulder injury sidelined her plans.

Hanging up her scrum cap is a decision which Ounsley has given tremendous thought to as she says she will leave the game with many fond memories.

Ounsley said: “Stepping away from the rugby field has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life. This sport has given me opportunities, friendships, and memories that I could only have dreamt of, and I will forever be grateful to the wonderful community at the Exeter Chiefs for making this feel like home.

“Whilst I am excited for opportunities around the corner, this is certainly not goodbye and I will continue to be a fervent supporter of women's rugby and with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our sport.”

Arriving at Sandy Park from Sale Sharks Women in 2022, Ounsley had already established herself as an inspiration for youngsters growing up deaf who harboured dreams of a professional sporting career.

Originally following in the footsteps of her father who was a former professional mixed martial artist, Ounsley was crowned British Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion before turning her hand to rugby union.

In more recent times, Ounsley has reached a whole new demographic of fans as ‘Fury’ in the 2024 BBC reboot of Gladiators.