Gulley Signs Senior Contract with Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs and Louie Gulley have put pen to paper on a senior contract for the young hooker ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Gulley, who was one of four Chiefs players included in England’s 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship winning squad, signs the contract with his hometown club after another stellar season with EURFC.

“I’m unbelievably excited to have signed a contract,” Gulley said. “It’s truly a dream come true for me. Playing in the pre-season friendly double header was a cool experience and I’m looking forward to my future at Chiefs.”

Born and bred in Devon, the 19-year-old hooker joined the Chiefs Academy four years ago having first picked up a rugby ball at Crediton RFC as a youngster.

Diligently working to improve his skills, the local lad joined the University of Exeter team to take the next step in his Chiefs journey and has continued to excel.

Now one of the in-form hookers in the BUCS Super league, Gulley’s prolific displays for EURFC’s men in green have seen him score 19 tries in 35 appearances.

Named in the squad that won last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship, Gulley received his first England start in this year’s U20 Six Nations tournament, scoring a try in the game against Italy U20 at the Recreation Ground.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is proud to have a local, English age-grade talent locked down to a future as an Exeter Chief.

“Louie is one of our young players that we’re absolutely delighted to have under contract with the club. He’s been having a great season with both the university and England U20.

“He’s a player we see with a bright future, someone who is likely to move forward to start featuring with the senior Chiefs group over the next 12 to 18 months.

“He’s someone we’re certainly planning on becoming one of our senior players of the future, having a bright career at Exeter. He’s one of the local lads that we would like to see become one of the core parts of what we achieve over the coming seasons.”

Gulley joins fellow U20 World Championship winners Joe Bailey, Ben Coen and Kane James on senior contracts with Chiefs.