All Blacks and Crusaders centre Dallas McLeod has made the surprise move to Exeter Chiefs, the Stormers have added further depth to their squad for the rest of the season and England international Ted Hill has penned a new contract with Bath.
Dallas McLeod completes Exeter Chiefs switch
Exeter Chiefs have signed the perfect replacement for the departing Len Ikitau, with one-cap All Black and Crusaders man McLeod signing a three-year deal with the Devonians.
He is the latest midfielder to commit his future to the Chiefs, following Bath’s Will Butt in heading to Sandy Park for the start of next season.
Commenting on joining Exeter, McLeod said: “I’m really excited for the opportunity to come and play for the Exeter Chiefs.
“I’ve always followed rugby in the northern hemisphere, particularly the PREM, and I really admire the way Exeter play the game.
“I cannot wait to meet all my new teammates, the coaches and the fans at Sandy Park. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in as soon as possible.”
Chiefs director of rugby, Rob Baxter, added: “Dallas is a really important signing for us. We’ve known that Len Ikitau would be returning to Australia and with Will Rigg also leaving at the end of the season, centre is an area we’ve been looking to strengthen.
“We’ve also got Will Butt coming on board, but I think Dallas really rounds off what we can do with our midfield group.
“He’s a very experienced player playing in a very good, very consistently high-performing team in New Zealand. He’s still a player in his prime, someone who looks very consistent with high accuracy in his game.
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“We see him as a really important part of our jigsaw puzzle going forward. We’re expecting an awful lot from him and from the group. With him joining Will Butt and Henry Slade as well as the young centres we’ve seen emerging recently in the PREM Rugby Cup, we feel we’re developing a strong group of midfielders. Hopefully, they’ll all be part of the push of us achieving things in the future.”
Stormers bolster ranks as Vernon Paulo joins
The Stormers have added some more depth to their pack in the form of Cheetahs hooker Vernon Paulo, who joins the Cape Town side on a deal until the end of the season.
The 24-year-old is a product of the Western Cape, and recently helped the NWU Eagles win the Varsity Cup in 2023. He made his professional debut for the Cheetahs that same year.
Commenting on joining the Stormers, Paulo said: “This is a dream come true for me, but this is just the start. I am going to work hard to be at my absolute best for this team and contribute to the cause.
“My father is from Langa and I have supported this team my whole life, so this is a homecoming of sorts for me.
“I want to show what this means to me by the way I play and hopefully add to the success of the team.”
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Club director of rugby, John Dobson, added: “Vernon has all the attributes to mix it with the best and we are confident that we can develop his game further in our system. He certainly has the drive to improve and compete in every area.
“On top of all that he is also incredibly passionate about playing for this team, having grown up as a supporter of ours and we know that he will be putting all he has into representing our fans with pride when he gets the opportunity.”
He becomes the latest forward to head to Cape Town in recent weeks, with Hacjivah Dayimani also joining from Top 14 side Racing 92.
Ted Hill latest man to re-commit to Bath
England international Hill has put pen to paper on a new deal with reigning PREM champions Bath, signing a deal until 2029.
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Hill arrived at the West Country outfit in 2023 following the collapse of Worcester Warriors, and has since made 63 appearances.
He now becomes the latest player to re-sign with the Blue, Black and White, following back duo Tom de Glanville and Tom Carr-Smith in extending at the Rec.
Commenting on his new deal, Hill said: “To be renewing my contract at Bath is a really special moment for me. I have loved being part of this club, working alongside an amazing group of players and coaches whilst also playing in front of the amazing fans at The Rec.
“To extend my contract is really exciting as we continue to push for bigger and better things together as a club.”
Bath head of rugby, Johann van Graan, added: “What a great journey Ted Hill has been on since his arrival at Bath. Not only has he developed into one of the best players in England, but he has crept deep into everyone’s hearts at our club.
“We are very glad that Ted will be continuing his journey with us here in the Blue, Black and White.”