Youngsters head for Albion

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs youngsters Harrison Cully, Ed Holmes and Jack Maunder are to join Plymouth Albion on dual-registered terms for the 2015/16 season.

The talented trio will combine life at Sandy Park with roles with the National League One side, who are coached by former England international Graham Dawe.

Second-row forward Holmes spent a successful spell last season at the Cornish All Blacks on a similar deal, but did feature for the Chiefs both in the A League and LV= Cup, even featuring in the final itself when the Devon club were denied retaining their crown by Saracens at Franklin’s Gardens.

Scrum-half Maunder - the son of Exeter legend Andy Maunder - and winger Cully have both joined Exeter’s senior ranks for the first time this summer, but they are already well versed in Chiefs life having featured for the club’s Academy side, as well as for the England Under-18s.

Academy manager Robin Cowling (pictured) said: “This is a great opportunity for all three lads to go out and gain some quality senior rugby experience. For a number of years now we have worked closely with a number of the local clubs such as Plymouth, Pirates, Taunton and the Cornish All Blacks.

“The relationships we have built with these clubs mean that not only are our young players gaining vital match experience, but they are also adding their own qualities to these teams. We know in each case that the players will not only be well looked after, but they will be coached well and given the chance to show what they can do.”

Chiefs’ head coach Rob Baxter echoed Cowling’s comments, adding: “Ever since we got into the Premiership we have taken the opportunity to get our young players out into local clubs and playing at what we know is a decent standard.

“It was not that long ago that players like Dave Ewers, Sam Hill, Jack Nowell and Henry Slade were  gaining similar experience in the Championship and I think everyone has seen how those guys have developed since.

“More recently it’s been the same with other guys like Sam Simmonds, Stu Townsend and Jack Innard, so we’re hoping that we will have similar results with those players that are going down to Plymouth this season.”