Chiefs confirm 15-player exit list

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed a wave of updates as the 2024/25 season draws to a close – including an injury blow, new contracts, and 15 confirmed player departures.

Centre Will Rigg will miss the remainder of the current campaign following surgery on a ligament injury sustained in Chiefs’ Round 16 clash with Northampton Saints at Sandy Park earlier this month. The mid-foot injury required surgery and the 25-year-old will now begin a rehab period of three to four months with the club’s medical team.

Meanwhile, long-time academy product and fan favourite Billy Keast will leave Sandy Park to join Worcester Warriors for the 2025/26 season. The 28-year-old prop has spent more than a decade in the Chiefs system, making 53 appearances.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the coaches for giving me the opportunity to represent this great club,” said Keast, who grew up in Cornwall and made his first team debut in 2016.

“Sandy Park will always be a special place for me. I’ll be cheering the club on from afar and can’t wait to see it climb back to where it belongs.”

Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter praised Keast for his “hard work through injuries” and contribution to a period of domestic and European success.

On the women’s side, Irish international hooker Cliodhna Moloney has signed a new contract to remain at Sandy Park through the 2025/26 campaign. She’s expected to return after this autumn’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“Moving to Devon has been one of the best decisions of my career,” said Moloney, who recently married Chiefs and England winger Claudia MacDonald.

“We are incredibly happy here… I’m very excited and honoured to be part of the next steps for this club.”

Moloney joined Exeter from Wasps in 2022 and is on the brink of her 50th club appearance, having also returned to Ireland’s starting XV during the 2025 Women’s Six Nations.

The club has also published its full list of 2024/25 season leavers. In addition to previously announced departures including Stu Townsend (Harlequins), Jacques Vermeulen (Sale Sharks), and Joe Hawkins (Scarlets), Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that Niall Armstrong, Jack Dunne, Hallan Chapman and Franco Molina will also move on. Their next destinations are yet to be announced.

Eoin O’Connor will retire from professional rugby at the end of the campaign.

“I’d like to thank all the players leaving us for being a part of the Chiefs journey,” said Baxter. “They have all contributed to our environment and I know I speak for everyone at the club when I say that we wish them all the very best in the future.”