Dunne 'excited' for new challenge
By Mark Stevens
10/3/22
Jack Dunne says he’s “excited” at the challenge that lies ahead after he today sealed a move to Gallagher Premiership outfit Exeter Chiefs.
The 23-year-old forward will head to Sandy Park at the start of next season, bringing to a close a successful spell with Leinster Rugby.
Having attended St Michael’s College in Dublin, Dunne entered the Leinster sub-academy immediately upon leaving school in 2017 before being promoted to the full academy a year later.
It would not take long for Dunne to be given his chance at first-team level, making the first of his 17 appearances to date for the Irish province against Zebre in 2019.
Although an ankle injury and Covid has stifled his progress in more recent times, the Chiefs believe they have pulled off somewhat of coup in landing the London-born lock, who stands at 6ft 8in and tips the scales at 120kg.
“It’s a big move for me, but one that I’m very excited about,” said Dunne. “Exeter are a brilliant club, one of the best around, and one I know will be looking to challenge for silverware.
“So far I’ve played all my rugby here in Ireland, but I see the move not only as a chance to experience something new, but at the same time it’s a chance for me to develop myself, not only as a player, but as a person too.
“The Premiership is a very tough league and week in, week out you have to put in performances. Just watching the games, you can see it’s physical, you have to work hard and that there are no real easy weeks.”
As a self-confessed ‘nuts and bolts forward’ – Dunne says the chance to be part of the much-vaunted Chiefs pack was one of the reasons he wanted to move to Devon.
“The Exeter pack is held in high regards,” he added. “Here at Leinster, we often look at how they do things and try to learn from it. Doing our analysis on them last year before the Champions Cup game, we looked at how they attacked in the 22 because it was seemingly impossible to stop them. The message all week before that game was don’t let them into your 22!”
Now, Dunne wants to be part and parcel of that Chiefs mix, helping to drive the club forward on all fronts.
“I’m 23 now and I feel I’m at a stage in my career where I really need to kick on,” he added. “I’ll always be thankful to everyone connected with Leinster for all they have done for me in terms of my development and the club will always have a place in my heart.
“That said, now I’m ready to start a new chapter with Exeter and I can’t wait to get started with them next season.”