Chiefs’ Fury quits pro rugby to pursue ‘opportunities’

EXETER Chiefs winger Jodie Ounsley – who is Fury on the Gladiators TV show – has retired from professional rugby union.

The 23-year-old has agreed an early release from her contract at Sandy Park to focus on opportunities outside the sport.

Ounsley played eight times and scored three tries for the Chiefs in a career that was hit by injuries.

She found fame this year after joining the reboot of the popular 1990s game show.

The former England Sevens player’s final appearance came in this month’s Allianz Cup semi-final loss to Saracens.

Arriving at Sandy Park from Sale Sharks in 2022, Ounsley had already established herself as an inspiration for youngsters growing up deaf who harboured dreams of a professional sporting career.

Originally following in the footsteps of her father who was a former professional mixed martial artist, Ounsley was crowned British Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion before turning her hand to rugby union.

“Stepping away from the rugby field has been one of the most difficult decisions of my life,” she told the Exeter Chiefs website.

“This sport has given me opportunities, friendships and memories that I could only have dreamed of, and I will forever be grateful to the wonderful community at the Exeter Chiefs for making this feel like home.

“While I am excited for opportunities around the corner, this is certainly not goodbye and I will continue to be a fervent supporter of women’s rugby. And with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our sport.”

Tom Dulat/Getty Images & BBC Jodie Ounsley in action for Exeter Chiefs earlier this month and, inset, how she has become better known – as Fury on Gladiators