Former England international and Premiership centre Ollie Devoto is the latest star to move into National League Rugby after signing for Taunton Titans. (Photo Credit: Taunton RFC)

The 30-year-old will not only pull on his boots in National Two West in 2024/25, but Devoto will also have a role across different aspects of the club including within the coaching set-up as well as the Titans’ commercial team.

Back in May, it was announced that Devoto – who represented England twice – would be leaving Exeter Chiefs after eight seasons at the club. During his time at Sandy Park, he made 127 appearances and scored 21 tries in the era of a Champions Cup title and two Premiership crowns for Rob Baxter’s side.

“With what I’ve had done with both hips [double hip operation], I knew my time at Exeter was coming to an end,” Devoto told Taunton’s club website. “I’ve had a fantastic time at Chiefs, they’ve been brilliant to me and I was lucky to be part of a very special group of players that achieved great things.

“I’m not ready to stop. Once the door closed with Chiefs, it was important to throw myself into a new environment. I had a couple of months completely away from rugby and I really missed it. Being part of a group, something bigger, is really important to me.

“I’ve only been here a very short time but it’s been everything I wanted it to be. Being part of a rugby team is part of my DNA.

“For me, it’s always been about family. That’s really important to me. I’m local. Somerset-born, I’m a West Country boy. Dad will come and watch. We’re going to be here long-term.”

After three seasons in National One, Taunton suffered relegation on the final day of last season but those at Veritas Park will be hoping for an immediate return to the third tier.

As for Devoto – who also represented Bath in the Premiership – he outlined his aims. “I’ve got to get selected first,” he continued. “Pre-season training has been tough but the lads are getting fit and the first pre-season games are only a few weeks away. It’s been refreshing for me to meet a whole new bunch of guys who’ve been really welcoming.

“The atmosphere is incredibly positive. This club should be up there winning the league and that’s the goal that we have.”

Taunton Chairman John Wrelton added: “Ollie was introduced to me by Tony Yapp [Taunton Head Coach]. We met informally for a coffee, talked about the ethos of the club and it was lovely to hear that someone from the professional rugby sphere with such a well-known name would want to come back to a West Country club and become part of it wholly.”

Devoto and Taunton begin their National Two West campaign away at Loughborough Students on September 7th before hosting Hornets a week later.

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