Chiefs duo head to Coventry on loan

By Mark Stevens
24/6/22

Two Exeter Chiefs youngsters will continue their rugby development on loan at RFU Championship outfit, Coventry, this season.

Prop Danny Southworth, together with winger Shea Cornish, will both move to the Butts Park Arena, where they will team up with former club-mates Joe Snow and Jordon Poole, as well as former Chiefs forward, James Scaysbrook, who is club’s defence coach.

The Chiefs are keen for both players to glean much-needed game time at a higher level and they hope the moves will prove beneficial for all parties involved.

Coventry head coach Alex Rae said: “We’ve got a great relationship with Exeter and we are really pleased that they trust us to develop their up-and-coming players in our environment.”

“Shea is a really exciting winger, James Scaysbrook [Coventry defence coach] coached him previously and only had good things to say, so we’re really excited to see him and get the best out of him.”

Rae added: “Danny is a big ball-carrying prop and the Championship is going to be great for him in terms of set-piece. We look forward to seeing him develop.”

Cornish, 21, was born in Truro and took up rugby with Penzance-Newlyn RFC – starting out in their Under-11s and working his way up to Colts level.

His deceptive footwork, combined with pace and power in attack, brought him to the attentions of the Chiefs, who continued to monitor his progress closely whilst he studied at Truro College.

In 2019, he was one of a number of highly-rated youngsters awarded with a senior academy contract at the club, but the 5ft 9in speedster is yet to make his senior debut for the club. He has, however, impressed on loan at National League One club, Plymouth Albion in recent years.

Loosehead prop Southworth, 23, came through the ranks at Barnstaple RFC while linking up with the Exeter Chiefs Academy.

Since being with the Chiefs, Southworth has garnered game time with Barnstaple, Chinnor and, more recently, Plymouth Albion in National League One. He has also featured for the Chiefs first team in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Gallagher Premiership, where he capped his maiden appearance with a try in their away game against Wasps in October 2020.

So far Southworth has made eight senior appearances for Exeter.