Exeter loan Carrick-Smith

Exeter Chiefs lock Will Carrick-Smith has today joined Championship leaders London Welsh on a short-term loan deal.

Keen to get the imposing 6ft 11in, 125kg forward some game time, the Chiefs were happy to oblige to the request of the Exiles who are keen to bolster their options in the second row.

Having spent the summer playing Down Under with Australian club side Randwick, the 21-year-old has not only featured for the Braves in this season’s A League competition, but he was named twice for the Chiefs in their recent LV= Cup games against Harlequins and Bath.

Head coach Rob Baxter said: “We see this is a great opportunity for Will to go out and not only get some good game time and experience under his belt, but he’s going to a very good Championship club who we know will look after him.”

Like Baxter, Welsh head coach Justin Burnell is looking forward to working with Carrick-Smith, who ironically scored a try against the Exiles on his competitive Chiefs debut last season. He said: “We’ve had some fantastic feedback on Will. He’s a big man at 6ft 11in and 125kg who fits into what we want. He’s going to bring a lot of physicality and he’s got first-team experience at Exeter.”

Photography courtesy of Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency