women’s rugby
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Amy Rule, who triumphed in the 2021 Rugby World Cup, has been selected as a vice-captain for the Exeter Chiefs’ upcoming JAECOO PWR Next Gen Cup run.
The 26-year-old prop linked up with the Devon-based side following her role in guiding the Black Ferns to a bronze medal at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Since the third-place play-off at Allianz Stadium last September, Rule has not featured for New Zealand. However, she registered 14 appearances in the PWR during her inaugural year with the Chiefs, helping them secure a post-season berth. This past June, she also featured in the back-row for the Barbarians.
She shares the vice-captaincy duties with veteran club centurion Merry Elworthy, while England international Emily Robinson takes over the captain’s armband.
Rule expressed: “I’m absolutely thrilled. Receiving the call was quite a surprise, but I’m incredibly eager to embrace this chance. I can’t wait for the tournament to start, to get back on the field with my teammates, and to find my rhythm again.
“I want to perform well for the team’s sake. Though I am not the most vocal person and prefer to talk only when necessary, my goal is to guide others by setting a strong example both on the pitch and in day-to-day life.
“Having sat out the tournament last year, I am looking forward to throwing myself back into our training routines. Ultimately, I just love playing rugby, so having a few more matches on the schedule is a great bonus, right?”
The Chiefs will launch their PWR Next Gen Cup journey this Sunday, September 27, when they face the Leicester Tigers. This fixture will represent Oli Bishop’s debut outing overseeing the squad following his step up to the head coach position earlier this summer.
Bishop remarked: “Our choice of these three leaders stems from their dedication and previous contributions to our setup. They are outstanding ambassadors for this club both during matches and in our wider community.
“They possess a strong desire to elevate our squad and perfectly embody our collective-first philosophy. Given that we are bringing a youthful roster into this tournament, their background and proven track record will be vital in guiding us forward throughout the competition.”
