'Childhood dream' ends for Chiefs centre

Exeter Chiefs centre Charlie McCaig will join United Rugby Championship side Edinburgh Rugby for the 2025/26 season, bringing to a close a long-standing connection with his boyhood club.

The 22-year-old, who grew up in Honiton and began his rugby journey with Sidmouth RFC, has been part of the Chiefs setup for more than a decade, progressing from the Exeter DPP programme to the club’s senior training squad.

“Becoming an Exeter Chief was a childhood dream come true,” McCaig told the Exeter Chief's website. “And running out at Sandy Park was the moment that dream became a reality.

“I supported this club for 10 years before joining the academy, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to grow both as a player and a person within the Chiefs environment.

“Now, as I prepare to begin a new chapter in my career with Edinburgh, I do so with real excitement for what lies ahead. Exeter will always hold a special place in my heart, and I’ll forever be grateful for everything this club has given me.”

McCaig played a key role in the University of Exeter’s 2022 BUCS title-winning squad and gained valuable senior experience with Cornish Pirates on loan while remaining a regular in the Chiefs’ wider training squad.

Exeter’s Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, praised McCaig’s progress and acknowledged the tough competition in the Chiefs’ midfield group.

“Charlie is one of those guys that has probably been a little bit unfortunate in the strength of depth we’ve had across the centre group,” said Baxter. “Behind him, we’re bringing through guys like Nick Lilley and Nic Allison who are playing for England U20, so Charlie has become a little stuck in the middle ground.

“He’s a talented player who still has a lot of rugby in him, so he’s someone we’ll certainly keep an eye on. We wish him all the very best for the future but, like all the guys that leave us, he hopefully leaves in a position that, if the opportunity arises, we can approach him to return.”

McCaig is the latest in a line of young talent to emerge from the Chiefs’ player development pathway, and will now aim to make his mark in the URC with Edinburgh.