Butt to make the move from The Rec to Sandy Park

Exeter Chiefs have signed Bath Rugby centre Will Butt on a three-year deal from the 2026/27 season.

The 26-year-old has made 69 senior appearances for Bath since joining their academy at 14. Primarily those appearances have been in the centre, though Butt possesses the ability to adapt to playing on the wing.

Butt said: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining Chiefs next season. They’re a team that have achieved a huge amount in the last 10 years and look to be building something special once again.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of the group and contributing to the team in any way that I can.”

The Winchester-born back first rose to prominence in the Bath system with dominant performances for the University of Bath in the BUCS Super Rugby league. Butt’s leadership and on-field talent were rewarded with the captaincy of Bath’s U18s side.

As he matured, Butt grasped opportunity with both hands, going on loan to Champ Rugby side Coventry during the 2021/22 season. Scoring five tries in six games for the west midlands side earned Butt his place in the Bath senior squad heading into the 2022/23 campaign.

The centre made his debut in December 2021 in a Gallagher PREM match against Northampton Saints at cinch stadium at Franklin’s Gardens. Since then, Butt has continued to amass appearances and a wealth of experience, developing a reputation for his dominance in the kick-chase battle and defensive prowess.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “We’re delighted to have signed Will on a long-term deal. He’s a guy who we’ve had an eye on for a long time and now, as we’re in a position of wanting to strengthen our centre depth, it’s perfect timing.

“He’s an experienced player who’s big and strong, got a great set of skills, including being a very good defender. We feel that he’s still got a lot of really good rugby to play having already played in a very successful Bath team for a number of years.

“We hope that coming in with us, he can be involved in a lot of big games in the future as we look to build a very competitive squad in the coming seasons.”