Will Rigg: Rising English Rugby Talent Making His Mark in the Premiership
Introduction
Will Rigg is one of the young English rugby union players who has steadily built a strong reputation through hard work, smart movement, and powerful midfield play. Born on 22 March 2000, he plays primarily as a centre and has been part of the Exeter Chiefs setup in Premiership Rugby. His journey from school and university rugby into the professional game reflects both patience and progress, which is why more fans are now searching for his name and tracking his career closely.
Rigg’s rise has not come through hype alone. Instead, it has come through consistent performances, strong attacking intent, and the kind of physical presence that coaches value in the modern midfield. Before joining Exeter Chiefs, he made a name for himself with Coventry Rugby, where he showed that he could be a genuine attacking threat. That form helped him earn a move into the top tier of English club rugby.
For readers searching will rigg or even the related keyword will riggs, it is important to note that the rugby player’s commonly listed professional name is Will Rigg. He is an English rugby union centre whose profile has continued to grow during his time with Exeter Chiefs, and he is also confirmed to be moving to Newcastle Red Bulls for the 2026/27 season.
Who Is Will Rigg?
Will Rigg is a professional rugby union player from England who plays in the midfield, mainly at centre. In rugby, the centre position demands a blend of strength, speed, awareness, and decision-making. Rigg’s profile as a hard-running, attack-minded player fits that role well. Exeter Chiefs list him as a centre in their men’s squad, while Premiership Rugby also includes him in the club’s senior group.
He is not simply a player with potential; he is already a proven performer who has taken meaningful steps at each stage of his development. His story is especially interesting because it shows how players can progress through strong performances outside the biggest spotlight before breaking into the Premiership. That makes him an appealing figure for fans who enjoy following emerging rugby talent rather than only established stars.
Early Background and Rugby Development
School and University Pathway
Will Rigg’s development included time at Solihull School and later Cardiff Metropolitan University, a route that helped shape his rugby education. Cardiff Met is well known in university rugby circles, and playing there gave him the chance to grow in a competitive environment before moving deeper into the professional game. Exeter Chiefs’ official profile notes that he joined Coventry from Cardiff Met University, showing that his university years played a direct role in launching his next step.
Building a Reputation at Coventry
Before Exeter Chiefs, Rigg played for Coventry Rugby, where he began to attract wider attention. According to Exeter’s official player profile, he was a prolific attacking threat during his time there, making 31 appearances and scoring 14 tries. He was also selected in the 2022/23 Championship Rugby Team of the Season, which is a strong sign of how highly he was rated at that stage of his career.
That spell at Coventry was important because it showed he could influence games regularly. Many young players look promising, but only some turn that promise into measurable production. Rigg did that by contributing tries, using his physicality well, and earning recognition from the wider rugby community. Those performances helped create the opportunity for him to step up into Premiership Rugby.
Move to Exeter Chiefs
Joining the Club
Exeter Chiefs signed Will Rigg from Coventry in February 2024, with the move happening immediately rather than at a later date. That timing suggests the club saw him as someone ready to enter a more demanding rugby environment without a long delay. Exeter described him as a player arriving from Championship Rugby and becoming part of the squad at Sandy Park.
The move mattered because Exeter Chiefs are a major name in English rugby. For a developing centre, joining a Premiership club gives access to faster matches, stronger opponents, and higher tactical demands. It also creates a chance to test whether success at one level can carry over into the next. In Rigg’s case, the move signaled clear trust from the coaching staff.
Growth in the Premiership Environment
In March 2025, Exeter Chiefs announced that Rigg had signed a new contract, extending his stay at the club. The club noted that since joining, he had made his debut in the Premiership Rugby Cup, the Gallagher Premiership, and the Investec Champions Cup. That is an important marker because it shows he was not just a squad addition but a player trusted across multiple competitions.
A contract extension often tells a bigger story than one performance. It suggests a player is adapting well, fitting into the club culture, and offering enough value for the team to invest further. For Will Rigg, that contract underlined the fact that Exeter viewed him as a meaningful part of their plans.
Playing Style and Strengths
H2: What Makes Will Rigg Stand Out?
Will Rigg’s game appears built around direct running, physical intent, and attacking threat. Exeter’s official profile specifically describes him as a prolific attacking player during his Coventry period, and that is often the kind of quality coaches want from a centre who can break defensive lines and create momentum.
H3: Strong Carrying and Midfield Presence
A good centre must balance power with timing. Rigg’s profile suggests he brings that sort of balance, especially as a player who can punch holes in the defensive line and challenge opponents physically. His selection in competitive fixtures for Exeter also points to trust in his ability to handle the intensity of top-level rugby.
H3: Ability to Contribute on the Scoreboard
Scoring tries is always valuable for a back, and Rigg has shown he can finish chances. In Coventry colours he scored regularly, and he has also contributed for Exeter. In Exeter’s match against Sale Sharks on 31 January 2026, he opened the scoring, underlining his ability to make a direct impact in important moments.
Recent Career Update
One of the most important recent updates in Will Rigg’s career is that he is set to join Newcastle Red Bulls for the 2026/27 season. Both Exeter Chiefs and Newcastle Red Bulls published official announcements on 27 January 2026 confirming the move. This means that while he remains closely associated with Exeter Chiefs in the present, his next chapter has already been formally set.
This upcoming transfer could become a major turning point. A move can offer more responsibility, a new system, and fresh opportunities to establish himself even more strongly in the Premiership. For a player still building his profile, the next club step can shape how quickly he turns from a promising talent into a widely recognized name.
Quick Info About Will Rigg
Full Name
Will Rigg
Date of Birth
22 March 2000
Nationality
English
Sport
Rugby union
Position
Centre
Former Club
Coventry Rugby
Current Club
Exeter Chiefs
Confirmed Future Move
Newcastle Red Bulls for the 2026/27 season
FAQs About Will Rigg
Is Will Rigg a rugby league or rugby union player?
Will Rigg is a rugby union player. He plays as a centre in the union code.
How old is Will Rigg?
He was born on 22 March 2000.
Which club does Will Rigg play for?
He is currently associated with Exeter Chiefs, although he has a confirmed move to Newcastle Red Bulls for the 2026/27 season.
What position does Will Rigg play?
He plays as a centre.
Why are people searching for “will riggs”?
Some searches appear with the spelling will riggs, but the professional rugby player’s name is listed by club and competition sources as Will Rigg.
Final Thoughts
Will Rigg represents the kind of player rugby supporters enjoy following: talented, improving, and still writing the biggest chapters of his story. From university rugby and Coventry to Exeter Chiefs and now a confirmed move to Newcastle Red Bulls, his career has shown clear forward motion. If he continues developing at the same rate, his name should become even more familiar to Premiership fans in the seasons ahead.
