Nigrelli heads down M5 to join Chiefs

England U20s back-row Gabriella Nigrelli is swapping Bear country for life at Sandy Park.

The 22-year-old, who has been called up to multiple Red Roses camps in the last few years, is heading down the M5 to join the Exeter Chiefs.

A powerful No 8, her arrival will be welcome news following the departure of Chiefs and USA Eagles legend Rachel Johnson.

Assistant coach Steve Salvin said: “We are over the moon that Gabriella has agreed to join Chiefs as she is someone we have been monitoring for a couple of seasons. She is a young, powerful and ambitious player who we believe has the potential to continue developing surrounded by a number of players of a similar mindset.

“Rachel Johnson was phenomenal for Chiefs for a number of years but with Rach calling time on her PWR career, we feel extremely confident that we have found a long-term replacement who we hope will be a Chief for a number of years”

Nigrelli began playing for Bears in the 2021/22 season while also studying for a civil engineering degree then a masters in sports management at the University of Bath. Despite suffering a serious shoulder injury in early 2023 , she played 33 times for the club including this and last season’s semi-finals.

Known for her physicality and speed in the loose, Nigrelli can also turn her hand to lineout throwing and her right foot to a bit of goal kicking!

Nigrelli said: “After being at Bristol for four years while studying at the University of Bath, I feel it’s time for a change of scenery and to unlock some new opportunities at Chiefs.”