Exeter Chiefs - GRAND SLAM-WINNING CAPTAIN JOINS CHIEFS - 04-07-2008

Grand Slam-winning England U21s captain Matt Cornwell has signed a deal to join Exeter Chiefs starting next week.

The former Leicester Tigers centre led England U21s to Grand Slam victory in 2006 when Exeter Chiefs' director of rugby Pete Drewett was the England U21s' manager. Cornwell also led the representative side in the World Championships in France in the same year.

The 23-year-old made 20 Guinness Premiership and six Heineken Cup appearances for Leicester after making his first team debut against Newcastle Falcons in 2004. An Oakham School product, Cornwell joined Tigers at academy level and captained their development team to Guinness A League glory in 2006. He led the first XV against Northampton Saints in an EDF Energy Cup match.

Drewett said: "Matt comes to Chiefs with a wealth of experience gained at one of the leading clubs in England. I have worked with him for a number of years while we were involved with England U21s when Matt's leadership undoubtedly played a significant part in winning the Grand Slam. I expect him to make a big impact here at Chiefs and I am delighted he has chosen to develop his career even further with us."

Cornwell said: "My aim is to get back to the Premiership and Exeter has the potential to help me do that. I have already worked with Pete, fitness coach Paddy Anson and physio John Moore so I should be able to fit in quickly. I have already been in at the club for a stadium training session and I have met some of the guys. I am looking forward to getting stuck in and playing a lot of rugby."

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