Forging Links With Rugby In the USA

Taunton Rugby Club has always been proud to support players with new challenges, including opportunities to play overseas and stepping up to a higher level and would never want to stand in a players way to experience these new stages in their careers. We have had numerous players who have taken on challenges at playing the highest level, recently the likes of Jake Woolmore playing over 120 Premiership games for Bristol Bears, Dan Frost playing for Exeter Chiefs and International Honors for Sam Skinner with Scotland and most recently Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for England.

We have recently sent Harry Wright to Australia with the best wishes from the club and hope to see him return in a couple of years once his stay is complete.  Lucas Yapp and Rocky Prowse will be taking some time out travelling from January, we will look forward to their return and putting on the TRFC shirt once again. Isaac Dalton, Connor Baker, Ben Alvis and Nick Mason all went to New Zealand to play a season of rugby and experience a different lifestyle all before returning to Taunton to play for the club once again.

Ollie Devoto the new signing for Taunton RFC from Exeter Chiefs will be heading overseas with his family for a brand new opportunity with the Chicago Hounds. The USA will be holding the men’s rugby world cup in 2031 and the country is showing a huge ambition to grow the sport. Taunton RFC will now have the opportunity to forge links with the Chicago Hounds, The nicknamed ‘Dawgs’ are a professional rugby team competing in Major League Rugby (MLR), North America’s professional rugby competition. The Hounds were named as an expansion franchise in 2022 and played their inaugural season in 2023 at SeatGeek Stadium.

Ollie started his rugby journey at Sherborne RFC before stepping into the professional game playing for Bath and then Exeter Chiefs before moving to Veritas Park and representing Taunton RFC. All of his club rugby has been based in the Southwest so this is certainly a new and exciting opportunity for Ollie.

Speaking With Ollie he said “It’s been a fantastic few months at Taunton and the team is really starting to build some momentum going into Christmas. Experiencing rugby abroad was something I always wanted to achieve in my career and when the opportunity arose, it was an offer I couldn’t turn down. It feels like the right time to be making the move, not only for myself but also for my family. I’m excited to watch Taunton progress and hope to remain involved with the club in the short and long term. My thanks go to everyone involved who have welcomed me to this great club”.

TRFC Chairman John Wrelton who was integral in getting Ollie to TRFC  said “Firstly I want to say that Ollie goes with all of our support and Taunton Rugby Club behind him. The rugby family is always well connected and for TRFC this is showing another avenue for future players to have the opportunity to go and play in America. This is a once In a lifetime opportunity for Ollie and his family to go and experience a new lifestyle and help promote the game as they build towards a world cup as a home nation. I am sure everyone has taken a huge amount from Ollie with his involvement here with us the last few months, the way he trains and conducts himself really shows the professional standards he has stuck to throughout his career. We will of course maintain regular contact and follow his journey closely with the hope he will return to Veritas Park once again.”

From all of us at Taunton RFC best of luck to Ollie and his family and we look forward to seeing you on your return!

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