Honey Kerslake, daughter of All Blacks legend Jerry Collins, signs first professional contract with Exeter Chiefs

Honey Kerslake, the 18-year-old daughter of the late All Blacks legend Jerry Collins, has signed her first senior professional contract with Exeter Chiefs in the Premiership Women’s Rugby.

Collins, who won 48 caps for New Zealand and appeared at two Rugby Worlds Cups, was killed in a car crash in France in 2015 while playing for Narbonne. His daughter has spoken openly about the role his memory plays in her career. “His inspiration has been one of my biggest driving factors to play rugby,” Kerslake told Six Nations Rugby in April. “My family in New Zealand still tell stories of everything that he brought to his community, on and off the pitch.”

Kerslake grew up in North Devon and began playing rugby aged 10 at Ilfracombe RFC before moving to Crediton for her Under-15 rugby. She has developed into a combative, well-rounded back-row forward, and this year became the only player called up from England’s Under-18 squad directly into the Under-21 setup — a distinction her new club regards as highly significant.

She has just completed her A-Levels at Exeter College, where she was part of the team that won the ACE Girls League at Allianz Stadium last year, and will join Chiefs for their preseason this summer.

Exeter assistant coach Oli Bishop said the club had been monitoring Kerslake closely through their own pathway system. “Honey is clearly an exceptional player who had benefited from our pathway system at Exeter College. She was also part of our U23s squad and she has already trained with us this season, so we have been keeping a close eye on her.”

Bishop highlighted the rarity of her dual age-group call-up. “Honey was the only player to be called up from the U18s to the U21s this year, which is significant at this age. We look forward to watching her develop in the Exeter Chiefs environment and supporting her first steps as a professional rugby player.”

Kerslake said she was ready for the challenge ahead. “I’m excited and grateful to start this new chapter with Chiefs to challenge myself and grow as a player.”