Hooley to leave the Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs can confirm that fly-half Will Hooley is to leave the club at the end of the season and will move to RFU Championship side Bedford Blues.

The 23-year-old back has spent the past two seasons at Sandy Park, signing during the summer of 2015 from Aviva Premiership rivals Northampton Saints.

Hooley made his Chiefs debut during the 2015/16 season, coming off the bench in Exeter’s European Champions Cup encounter against ASM Clermont Auvergne at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

During his maiden season in Devon, the Cambridge-born back featured in 15 match-day squads, coming off the bench on seven occasions and scoring 21 points in the process. He was also part of the highly successful Exeter Braves side, who lifted the Aviva A League for the second time in the club’s history.

Sadly, the emergence of fellow fly-half Joe Simmonds and some untimely injuries have hampered the former England Under-20s international’s progress this season and the player has only been able to feature in six games.

Reflecting on his time with the Chiefs, Hooley said: “I’ve loved my two season with the Chiefs. The club is in a great place and to play small part in the success of the team has been hugely enjoyable. I’m certainly going to miss all the boys as there is a special team bond here that has been great to be part of.

“This current season has been disruptive for me due to injury, so it’s important now for me to go away and get back playing regularly. I’d like to thank everyone at the club for all their hard work in helping me develop my career even further.
“Finally, I’d like to thank all the fans, Sandy Park is an unbelievable place to play rugby and their support on the road is second to none.”

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency