Caulfield to leave the Chiefs

By Mark Stevens
14/5/20

Exeter Chiefs Academy product Josh Caulfield is to leave the club at the end of his current contract and sign for RFU Championship outfit, the Cornish Pirates.

The 22-year-old has spent the past four seasons on dual-registered terms with the Pirates, but has now made the move to the Mennaye permanent, agreeing a two-year deal.

A former England Under-20s international, Taunton-born Caulfield came through the Chiefs Academy, initially starting out under the guidance of Rob Gibson at Bicton College. He was also sent out to hometown club Taunton Titans to glean some much-needed experience at senior level in the National Leagues.

Sadly, a succession of injuries curtailed his development for at least a year before he worked his back to full fitness at the start of 2016/17. It was then that he was first dual registered with the Pirates, an opportunity for him to gain experience at a higher level.

He quickly made an impression and featured in 15 matches, whilst he also made his senior Chiefs debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup win against the Cardiff Blues in November 2016.

Caulfield played for England Under-20s in the 2017 Junior World Championships and was also also part of their Six Nations winning squad.

He has made nine appearances in total for the Chiefs first team, including featuring twice this season in the Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures against Bath and Leicester Tigers.

Commenting on the the move, Pirates joint Head Coach Alan Paver, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Josh has now signed for us full time. For such a young man he already has considerable experience behind him and has always been a terrific and fully committed performer.

“A popular member of our squad, he also, importantly, knows fully what we are about and aware of our goals is someone who can help us reach them.”