15 January 2016

Bath Rugby centre Ollie Devoto will join fellow West Country outfit Exeter Chiefs next season, the Club can confirm.

Devoto rose through the ranks of the Bath Rugby Academy, which he joined in 2012, and is now approaching 80 senior career appearances in Bath colours. On Wednesday, the 22-year-old was named in Eddie Jones’s England Elite Player Squad, having previously won the 2013 Junior World Champions with England U20s.

Devoto said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here at Bath Rugby. It will always be a special place to me because it’s where I started my professional career and I’ve made some close friends, as well as working with fantastic coaches and players.

“It’s been a really tough decision to leave, but I feel that a change of environment is what I need to continue my development. That said, there’s a long way to go this season and I’m fully focused on doing what I can to help the team achieve our aims.”

“We’re really disappointed to see Ollie go, but respect his decision,” said Head Coach Mike Ford. “We’ve enjoyed watching his development here at the Club, and would like to thank him for all his hard work, which we know he’ll continue to put in until the end of the season.”