Chiefs capture two more Welsh young guns

TWO MORE Welsh age grade internationals have been snapped up by Exeter and been given the chance to join the Chiefs’ academy.

Giant Wales U18 lock Christian Tshiunza started the exodus to Sandy Park when he opted to accept Exeter’s offer rather than one from Cardiff Blues earlier in the year. Even though the Blues offered him the biggest academy deal in their history, the hugely talentd Whitchurch High School product opted to join the Premiership leaders.

Now Wales U20 fullback Dan John, son of former Pontypridd and Wales scrum-half Paul, has also headed to Devon along with ex-Ospreys academy member and Wales U18 cap, hooker Oliver Burrows. John and Burrows were both studying at Millfield and will now join Tshiunza at both Exeter and Exeter University. Iwan Jenkins, another former Blues age grade player, has already played at outside-half for Exeter’s U18 team after joining their academy. The 18-year-old Burrows,

below, was one of five junior level internationals from Millfield’s class of 2020. He has signed a four-year Exeter deal and is due to take a degree in International Business Management at Exeter University.

John played in the same side and now they will team up again in the BUCS Super Rugby team at Exeter University and the Chiefs.

It continues a strong Welsh connection in the area with Tomas Francis, Alex Cuthbert, Phil Dolman, Sean Lonsdale, Corey Baldwin and Tom Price are all part of Rob Baxter’s senior Chiefs squad.