Alfie Bell Re-Signs with Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs lock Alfie Bell has re-signed with the club to continue at Sandy Park.

The former Wasps Academy player was plucked from the remains of the former Gallagher Premiership side when they folded in late 2022 and has been a Chief ever since.

“I wanted to recommit to Chiefs because I believe it’s the best place for me to develop further and earn the opportunity to play in the Premiership,” Bell said.

“One of my favourite memories in my Chiefs journey so far is having had the chance to play next to my brother at Sandy Park. It was something we both had been working towards for a long time and a day my family and I all look back on fondly.”

Born in Nuneaton, the former England U20 player already stands at 6ft 8 inches tall at just 22-years-old. Rugby is in the veins for Bell, whose brother Charlie also represents the University of Exeter and is on the Chiefs books with his elder brother.

Originally a member of the Wasps player pathway, when they fell into administration Bell’s potential was spotted when Chiefs were already recruiting wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and back rower Greg Fisilau.

This season, like so many Chiefs before him, Bell has been on loan to RFU Championship side Cornish Pirates as he starts to rack up vital game minutes in a competitive and gritty league.

With the Pirates, he has made 11 appearances in important wins over Coventry and Cambridge as the Cornish side look to finish their season on positive footing.

Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes with continued hard work, Bell could earn a regular place in the Chiefs set-up.

“We’re really starting to see the true potential that we spotted in Alfie when we signed him from Wasps come to the forefront.

“He had a tough time when he first arrived with a very serious shoulder injury. That took a long time to settle down and allow him to get back into rugby but he’s been doing that with some regular game time, first with EURFC and now with Cornish Pirates.

“We were really keen to get him into senior rugby and he’s doing well with Pirates currently, becoming a starter there. I know his time with Alan Paver and the work they do with the pack at Pirates will really help him.

“He’s learning now in a senior environment and we’re hopeful he is one of those guys who will come through for us to be a senior lock in the coming seasons.”