Exeter College to Represent England at Prestigious SANIX International Rugby Tournament in Japan

Exeter College is delighted to have been chosen to represent England at the 2026 SANIX tournament, an international schools rugby tournament that is held in the Fukuoka prefecture area of Japan every year.

Widely regarded as the premier international schools festival, the tournament will take place at the end of April 2026. The Japan Rugby Football Union hosts the event, and it is supported by various local bodies specifically the SANIX sports foundation, the event brings together top youth teams from around the world. The SANIX sports foundation provides half the costs for overseas teams to participate in the tournament.

Jon Hill, the Men’s Rugby Academy Lead at Exeter College said;

“Exeter College have a unique and amazing opportunity to represent the England RFU at a prestigious International Youth Rugby Tournament, pitching ourselves against the best youth players in the world.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and one that we intend to embrace, not just in terms of sport, but culturally. Tours like this often produce memories for life and can also serve as a great educational tool developing life skills and broadening player horizons.

“Japan is steeped in rich culture and traditions, and we have already highlighted some of these in our briefing with the students so that we can start to appreciate the opportunities that this may create”.

A squad of 30 students from Exeter College will travel to Japan. Among them are Ruben Chugg and Henry Tanner, who shared their thoughts on the upcoming tour.

Ruben studies BTEC Business and plays full back and fly half, he said;

“I think it will be a very eye-opening experience for the team, especially as individuals realising their potential but also to see our potential as a team. I’m looking forward to experiencing a new culture, especially in a new continent that I haven’t been to before, it’s not just about playing rugby.”

Henry, who plays Hooker and back row and is studying A Levels in Geology, Environmental Science and Business, added;

“It will be a really cool experience to see the culture in Japan, and obviously to represent my country. Getting to wear the red rose on my shirt and just play with all my mates will be an amazing experience.”

The squad also includes Jeremy Keys, Charlie Bosanko, and Will Lane, all recently selected for the England Pathway Squad, highlighting the calibre of talent within Exeter College’s rugby programme.

Sponsorship Opportunity

Exeter College is actively seeking support from local businesses to help make this opportunity a reality for our students. There are a range of sponsorship packages available, including:

Team Sponsorship – Support the squad as a whole and have your brand featured prominently across team kit and included in PR and social media posts.

Individual Player Sponsorship – Back a specific student and help cover trip costs for that student.

Shirt Sponsorship – Gain visibility by having your logo featured on the team’s playing kit during the tournament.

If your business would like to get involved, please contact Jon Hill on: jonhill@exe-coll.ac.uk for more information about sponsorship packages.

Exeter Chiefs and Exeter College Strengthen Partnership to Foster Young Rugby Talent

Exeter College is celebrating the ongoing strengthening of their partnership with Exeter Chiefs, a cornerstone in developing young rugby talent in the region. This collaboration is crucial for nurturing aspiring players and enhancing the pathway from grassroots to professional rugby. As the Chiefs begin the new rugby season, with over 25 alumni players selected for the men’s and women’s teams, it is a fitting time to acknowledge this alliance.

Speaking with Rob Baxter, Director of Rugby at Exeter Chiefs, he emphasised the importance of the partnership:

“Exeter College is a hugely important part of our ongoing success. Not only because they are one of our academy centres, making them a hub and focal point for aspiring young players, but also because we’ve got some ex-Exeter Chiefs players there who are involved in a great coaching set-up. This arrangement ensures continuity and fosters a strong connection between the College and the club.”

Baxter highlighted the benefits of this collaboration, noting the alignment of coaching techniques and philosophies between the two institutions.

“The crossover of coaching and techniques teaches our young players what we want them to develop. The College set-up itself is very well supported by John Laramy as principal, all the way down through the coaching teams. We’re delighted with the facility improvements which are going to be happening across the next couple of years, as it will allow us to really build a fantastic sporting hub as part of the College.”

A group of female and male rugby players and coaches stand in front of Sandy Park.

Chris Wall, Sports Academy Manager at Exeter College, also praised the partnership’s success in developing players for professional rugby, demonstrated by the number of players now on the Chiefs roster.

“Our long-standing partnership with Exeter Chiefs has seen many alumni learners make the transition to play for the club. The College’s outstanding academic provision, breadth of course choice, as well as outstanding pass rates and retention figures, mean that Exeter College provides an excellent grounding, allowing young men and women to link full-time education with their rugby ambitions.

“Our rugby players train a minimum of three times a week, under the guidance of Chiefs Academy staff and full-time lecturers, play in quality fixtures and can access Sports Therapy support, strength and conditioning and video analysis.”

Wall added, “Currently, 27 male and female players on the Chiefs playing roster have come through the College, an outstanding strike rate considering the demands of the Premiership and Premier XV competitions. Our new Foundation Degree in Coaching and Fitness (FdSc) further strengthens opportunities for players to study here post-18 and play for the University of Exeter in the BUCs competition.”

A group of female and male rugby players and coaches stand in front of the Exeter Chiefs coach at Sandy Park.

Both Exeter Chiefs and Exeter College are enthusiastic about the future, particularly with the upcoming developments in rugby facilities at the College and the strengthening of the College’s offer through the Coaching and Fitness Degree. These improvements are set to enhance training and development opportunities, supporting the next generation of rugby stars.

“I can only see Exeter College providing more and more young, talented players. We have a great pathway now, right through from a very young age group to schools, into colleges and they are now linked very progressively into the University of Exeter. All of this means we’re getting a very solid foundation in place for ensuring ongoing success for the region, the college, the university, and for Exeter Chiefs,” Baxter concluded.

The partnership continues to flourish, offering a robust and comprehensive pathway for young athletes, integrating education and elite sports training, and promising to produce more talented players for the future.

Find out more about the Exeter Chiefs Rugby Academy at Exeter College by attending an Open Event.