Phillips leaves Harlequins for Exeter Chiefs ahead of 2026/27 Premiership Women's season

Carys Phillips has joined Exeter Chiefs from Harlequins, the club confirmed, with the 87-cap Wales international making the move ahead of the 2026/27 Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

Phillips, 33, spent three seasons at Harlequins after arriving from Worcester Warriors in 2023, making 15 appearances and scoring four tries in 2025/26 as the West London club missed out on a play-off place. Her arrival at Sandy Park comes shortly after hooker Emily Tuttosi departed Exeter for a coaching role in her native Canada.

“I’m looking forward to joining Chiefs and this exciting group of players this season,” Phillips said. “I really want to enjoy my rugby and feel like Exeter will allow me to do that alongside continuing to develop me as a player. I can’t wait to get started.”

Assistant coach Oli Bishop welcomed the signing, drawing a direct comparison to the player Phillips replaces. “With the departure of Emily Tuttosi at the end of last season, Carys will bring that same kind of experience to our squad,” he said. “She is also very familiar with our league from her time with Quins… and we’ve heard she is a bit of a joker, so I think she will fit right in.”

Phillips is the second Wales international confirmed at Exeter for next season, joining 17-cap loosehead prop Maisie Davies, who arrives from Bristol Bears. Shya Pinnock, Tilly Ryall and Lizzie Lander are also set to join the club ahead of the new campaign.

Off the field, Phillips made history at the end of June when she represented Susie Appleby’s Barbarians against Wales at Allianz Stadium. By taking the field against her international teammates, she and her father Rowland became the first father-daughter duo to both represent the touring side.

Exeter are still searching for a permanent head coach following Steve Salvin’s departure after one season in charge. Salvin was confirmed as Wales’ full-time forwards coach in early July. The club has since welcomed new ownership and appointed Ross Bundy as an assistant coach as they reshape their backroom staff ahead of the new season.