Taunton have signed the league’s most high profile arrival as twotime England international Ollie Devoto, formerly of Bath and Exeter Chiefs, hopes to be a difference maker in their title pursuit.
Devoto, 30, accumulated 127 appearances and scored 21 tries for Exeter but while Luctonians head coach Ryan Watkins sees the value of the signing, he also stresses the importance of developing players internally and sending them the other way.
Watkins told The Rugby Paper: “It’s great for the league but we’ve got young talented players that aspire to get to those levels themselves. We had Archie Benson sign from us to Northampton Saints, so those guys coming down will be up against young, hungry players who will see the likes of Devoto as a challenge to showcase any credentials they might have.
“Our model is very different, we want to develop our own. I prefer young and hungry players, I feel you get a lot more out of them and they give a lot more to the club. We want to be around for a long time, so for the last few seasons, we’ve targeted 20/21-year-olds that might have missed the boat for an academy, been to a decent university programme and when they come out of that we hopefully provide them with a good environment to get better.
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Denne historien er fra September 01, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.
