BRIDGEND RFC PLAYER IN MOVE TO EXETER
BRIDGEND RFC winger Tom O’Flaherty has been snapped up by Aviva Premiership high-fliers Exeter Chiefs.
The Brixton-born try machine, who touched down four times in as many outings for the Ospreys this season, will link up with the Devon club this summer.
He is viewed as a young player “with bags and bags of potential” by Exeter coach Rob Baxter.
O’Flaherty grew up in London and played his rugby for Dulwich College and then Blackheath before moving to Wales to study at Cardiff University.
After making his mark in college level, he got his chance with Cardiff RFC towards the end of 2013 and turned out for them four times, scoring four tries.
Then came the move to Bridgend, where he was to become a firm favourite, touching down 18 times during 25 appearances in the 2014-15 season.
That campaign culminated in the Ravens lifting the SWALEC Cup, with O’Flaherty claiming the match-winning try against Pontypridd.
He spent last season in France, combining a university placement with a stint in the rugby academy of French Top 14 side Montpellier, but returned to Wales for the final year of his studies, taking up joint registration with Bridgend and the Ospreys.
He has played five times for the Ravens this term, claiming two more tries, while he has also caught the eye at regional level.
After debuting for the Ospreys against Harlequins in the Anglo-Welsh Cup in November, he had further outings against Cardiff Blues and Glasgow that month and also came off the bench versus Bristol at the weekend.