Exeter Chiefs back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow is joining Newcastle Falcons in the summer, with the former Scotland Under-20s international arriving on a two-year deal.
Leatherbarrow, who turned 21 earlier this month, is a former Sale Sharks Under-18s captain who headed to Devon to study for an economics degree at Exeter University.
Captaining his university in the BUCS Super Rugby competition as well as representing the Chiefs, the 6 foot 1 forward said: “I’m massively excited by the move and the chance to be part of the Newcastle squad.
“It’s a big opportunity for me to become a better player and a better person in a great environment as a club, and in an exciting city.”
Qualifying for Scotland due to his grandmother coming from Perth, the back-rower explained: “I was born in Macclesfield, and my first club was Knutsford.
“I was in Sale Sharks’ academy from age 15 to 18, and then captained their Under-18s team before deciding to move down to Exeter for university.
“I played Under-16s for Scotland, the 18s stuff was cancelled due to Covid and then I came back and played two years of Under-20s for them once things started getting back to normal. I got 11 caps for the Under-20s in the end, which was a big honour, and I really enjoyed it.”
EXETER DEPARTURES:
#1. Ollie Leatherbarrow to Newcastle (Confirmed)
#2. Stuart Hogg – Retiring (Confirmed)
#3. Sam Simmonds to Montpellier (Confirmed)
