Exeter Chiefs are in battle with Saracens again for the services of Ealing Trailfinders inside centre Reuben Bird-Tulloch according to the latest reports.
Chiefs had been keen on adding Western Force centre Sam Spink ahead of the 2024/25 season but look to have been beaten to the former Wasps’ signature by Saracens. Now the two clubs are reported to be interested in signing former Saracens academy product Bird-Tulloch according to RugbyPass. He came through the youth set-up at the London club but found his path to the first team blocked by international talent, moving on to Northampton Saints in 2019.
The 5 ft 10in centre joined Ealing ahead of the 2021/22 season and has been a regular in the side in recent seasons, notching up his 50th appearance for the club last month. While the 25-year-old struggled to break into Premiership squads, he has impressed in the Championship this season for the league leaders.
With Ealing unable to gain promotion to the Premiership again this season, Bird-Tulloch perfectly fits the profile of the type of player Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter is targeting to sign this season, relatively young, inexpensive players full of potential to build on in the right environment.
Exeter are yet to confirm the re-signing of England centre Henry Slade but all the sounds coming out of the club are highly positive on that front, with a new deal for fly-half Harvey Skinner announced last week.
