Exeter Chiefs keep hold of rising star Moloney for 2025/26

Exeter Chiefs back row Martin Moloney has signed a new contract with the club, following an impressive first season at Sandy Park.

The 25-year-old Irishman featured 15 times across all competitions in 2024/25 – including the Gallagher Premiership, Premiership Rugby Cup and Investec Champions Cup – and crossed the try-line three times.

Originally joining the Chiefs on trial during pre-season, Moloney earned a permanent deal after impressing the coaching staff. He joined from Leinster Rugby, where he made 11 senior appearances after progressing through the academy.

“I’m delighted to have re-signed here at Exeter Chiefs,” said Moloney. “We have a huge opportunity as a team next season to take Chiefs back to the top. I’m very excited for the challenge.”

Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter praised the back rower’s progress and impact late in the campaign.

“Martin was a player of growing importance across the season,” Baxter said. “I think he was playing his best rugby for us towards the end of the campaign. He’s a guy who works exceptionally hard and is starting to thrive.”

Moloney made his Exeter debut against Northampton Saints in round two of the Premiership and became a consistent performer in the second half of the season.

Born in Kildare, he began his rugby career at Athy RFC and attended Knockbeg College, later progressing through the Leinster Academy while studying at University College Dublin.

His re-signing is seen as a key part of Exeter’s strategy to build squad depth and maintain competitiveness across all competitions.