Two Chiefs Join Cov on Loan

Coventry Rugby is delighted to announce the season-long loan agreement of two players from Premiership side, Exeter Chiefs. Winger, Shea Cornish and Prop, Danny Southworth will join the Coventry squad ahead of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

Following the successful loan spells of Chiefs players here at Butts Park such as Jordon Poole and Matt Johnson, Exeter have entrusted the Championship and Coventry Rugby in the development of two more of their young stars. “We’ve got a great relationship with Exeter and we are really pleased that they trust us to develop their up and coming players in our environment.” – Coventry Head Coach, Alex Rae.

Shea Cornish, born in Truro in the year 2000, took up rugby with Penzance-Newlyn RFC – starting out in their Under-11s and working his way up to Colts level.

His deceptive footwork, combined with pace and power in attack, brought him to the attentions of the Chiefs, who continued to monitor his progress closely whilst he studied at Truro College.

In 2019, he was one of a number of highly-rated youngsters awarded with a senior academy contract at the club.

Coventry Head Coach, Alex Rae can’t wait to get the speedster to the BPA: “Shea is a really exciting winger, James Scaysbrook coached him previously and only had good things to say, so we’re really excited to see him and get the best out of him.”

Danny Southworth, born in Barnstaple back in 1999, is a product of the Exeter Chiefs Academy set-up and began playing rugby at an early age for his hometown club, Barnstaple RFC.

Since being with the Chiefs, Southworth has garnered game time with Barnstaple, Chinnor and, more recently, Plymouth Albion in National League One. He has also featured for the Chiefs first team in the Premiership Rugby Cup and the Gallagher Premiership, where he capped his maiden appearance with a try in their away game against Wasps in October 2020.

Alex Rae believes Coventry will be the perfect next stage of development for Danny: “Danny is a big ball carrying prop and the Championship is going to be great for him in terms of set piece. We look forward to seeing him develop.”

Welcome to Coventry, Danny and Shea.