DIRECTOR of rugby Graham Dawe has said three young Exeter Chiefs players will have important roles to play at Plymouth Albion next season.
England students lock Ed Holmes, England Under-18 scrum-half Jack Maunder (pictured) and teenage winger Harrison Cully will all join Albion on season-long loan deals from the Premiership club.
Maunder, son of former Exeter captain Andy, and Cully are both 18-year-olds and have just signed academy deals with the Chiefs.
University of Plymouth student Holmes, however, is more experienced. He has played in National Two South for Launceston and last season featured in four LV=Cup games for Exeter. He also earned international honours earlier this year for England Students.
Dawe said: “In the situation this club is in, these players are great additions to the party.
“I guess all will play their part during the season, some will maybe have major parts to play.”
He added: “Jack and Harrison are young lads, but if you are good enough, you are old enough.
“I imagine all will be pushing for a starting spot in the team.”
Dawe said the trio would spend the full year at Albion in National One, although they will train with Exeter on the days when Plymouth have evening training sessions.
Last season, Albion had three dual-registered players from the Chiefs – Dan Pullinger, Jack Arnott and Sam Simmonds.
Prop Pullinger has now joined Albion permanently but it is likely that Arnott and Simmonds will be made available to the Cornish Pirates for the 2015/16 season, following Plymouth’s relegation.
Maunder’s signing means Albion now have two scrum-half players, with Cameron Setter having penned a new deal last week.
Cornwall’s Matt Shepherd has been linked with Albion, but when asked if there would be another scrum-half signing, Dawe said: “If we could manage to get a third then great, but we are not really in a position to look for more than two players in every position.”
It remains likely Albion could sign more loan or dual-register players from other Premiership clubs.
Last season, as well as three players from Exeter, Albion also borrowed Tom Hicks and James Gibbons from Gloucester, Ellis Genge from Bristol and Josh Watkins from Worcester.
Watch Harrison Cully score a try for Exeter Under-18s
Harrison Cully (number 13) makes a try for Exeter’s under-18s