Former England centre Ollie Devoto is on the brink of a major career shift, poised to join National League 2 West.
Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
According to Rugby Pass, after being released by the Chiefs at the end of last season after eight years at Sandy park, Devoto has received an offer for a player-coach role from Taunton Titans.
Devoto, who wanted to stay in the Exeter area, also considered a move to Plymouth Albion. However, it appears Taunton will secure his signature.
Early in his Exeter tenure, Devoto was instrumental in the maiden Premiership title in 2017 before appearing on the field in both games of the euphoric double win of 2020.
On the international stage, Devoto has represented England at U19, U20, and senior levels. Notably, in June 2014, he was part of an England XV that played against the Barbarians, where he substituted for his Bath teammate Jonathan Joseph.
Steve Borthwick’s England contract will not be renewed
Reflecting on past decisions, the RFU has learned from the extended tenures of Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward and is prepared for Borthwick to step down, even if England clinches the Webb Ellis Cup in Australia.
Here, we explore the current odds on who might succeed Borthwick as the next England head coach.
SIR CLIVE WOODWARD – 50/1
Woodward is the World Cup winning Head Coach who led England’s rugby players to World Cup glory in Australia in 2003.
A former England International and British & Irish Lion himself, prior to his full time coaching career Clive established a successful business career working for nine years with Xerox in the UK and Australia before establishing his own small finance and leasing company.
During Clive’s tenure as Head Coach England moved from 6th in the world to being the number one ranked team, winning every trophy an England team can win.
RICHARD COCKERILL – 30/1
Currently in charge of Georgia, he was part of the England coaching staff up until the end of the 2023 Six Nations.
GRAHAM ROWNTREE – 20/1
Currently the Munster head coach.
ROB BAXTER – 18/1
Although Baxter joined the England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and Uruguay in March 2013, he has no other experience outside of Exeter.
“I would be happy to have a chat about what the role is, how they see it working and what their plans and ambitions are,” Baxter said of the England job.
“Unless you know what it is, it’s hard to say yes or no to anything. At the same time, I’m not looking for another job! I’m very happy here,” he added.
