'Super excited about the move': Exeter sign Wallabies prop Sio

Exeter have staged a coup by capturing the signature of Wallabies loosehead Scott Sio on an unspecified length long-term deal from the Brumbies. Chiefs boss Rob Baxter had hinted earlier this month that he was still busy with recruitment ahead of the 2022/23 season. “We still have a couple of slots that we could fill,” he said at the time.

“With Will Witty moving on, that has opened up a space there (at lock), and there is a little bit of room potentially around the front row that I’m still looking at.” That vacancy had certainly been looked at in great depth as Exeter have now announced the signing of Sio, the vastly experienced prop who packed down twice versus England in last month’s three-game series in Australia.

A club statement read: “Exeter Chiefs have bolstered their front row options ahead of the new 2022/23 season with the signing of experienced Australian international Scott Sio. The 30-year-old loosehead is Rob Baxter’s latest new addition, joining the club on a long-term deal from Brumbies, the Super Rugby side.

“After eleven seasons with the Brumbies, Sio – who has been capped 71 times by the Wallabies – said the time was right for him to experience a new challenge and the Chiefs is just that opportunity as he readies himself for the demands of both England and European rugby.

“Sio is Baxter’s sixth new signing of the close season, having already brought in Leinster duo Jack Dunne and Rory O’Loughlin, as well as Aidon Davis, Ruben van Heerden and, more recently, Solomone Kata.”

“I’m super excited about the move,” added Wallabies prop Sio about his move to Exeter. “It’s something new, something fresh and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I’ve spoken to a few boys about the club and all of them have talked it up and said it’s a great place to go and play rugby. Having been at the Brumbies for so long, it’s going to be a different challenge of course, but it’s one that I feel I need.

“I have played over in England and Europe before at Test level, but having that weekly challenge is going to be something new. It’s going to be good coming up against some of the best teams in Europe. Watching the Champions Cup you can see it’s a pretty special competition and I know the Premiership is going to be just as tough.

“It’s going to be physical and a lot is put on you as a forward, but that is one of the things that attracted me to come over. I wanted to test myself in a new team and a new environment.”

Fellow Australians, the likes of Greg Holmes, Dave Dennis, Dean Mumm and Nic White who all played recently for Exeter, helped convince the Wallabies front-rower that a switch to England would be good for him. “Chatting with all those guys, they only had good words to say about the place. They told me the Chiefs are a great club, on and off the field, and that’ll I will enjoy every minute of it.”