prop painter looking to make the most of his move to the chiefs

Ehren Painter says he’s ‘excited’ at the challenge that lies ahead after he completed his move to Exeter Chiefs from Gallagher Premiership rivals Northampton Saints.

The 24-year-old tight-head prop, who has played 84 times for the Saints, will move to Sandy Park with immediate effect.

A product of Northampton’s Academy, Painter – who tips the scales at 133kg and stands 6ft 3in - made his senior debut for the club against Saracens in 2018 and has been a regular within their first-team ever since.

Born in London, he represented England at age-grade level, including for the Under-20s in both the Six Nations and World Rugby Championships in 2018. Now, Painter is set to test himself in a new environment at the Chiefs.

“I’m looking forward to the move and being part of what should be a really exciting end to the season,” he said. “Exeter are a club I have huge respect for. Having come up against them numerous times, you know the threat they pose in terms of their pack of forwards.

“Strengths of what they do well are what I like to think I have within my own game. Going down there, testing myself in a new environment, I think it will be good for my game. Having a new outlook on things, learning from different coaches, playing with different players, it’s all going to add to my game.”

Painter is Exeter’s second new addition to the frontrow inside a week with the Chiefs confirming at the weekend the arrival of Georgian loosehead Nika Abuladze.