Exeter Chiefs have signed loosehead prop Archie McArthur from Gloucester ahead of the 2026-27 season. The 23-year-old arrives at Sandy Park with Premiership experience and England age-grade pedigree, filling a gap left by the departure of Australia international Scott Sio. BBC Sport

A loosehead prop packs down on the left side of the scrum, and McArthur has spent three campaigns at Gloucester, making 20 first-team appearances. He also gained substantial game time on dual registration with Hartpury in the Championship, English rugby's second tier, where he played 25 matches. His senior development began in Wasps' academy before that club's financial collapse, and he has represented England at under-20s level. BBC Sport

Rob Baxter, Exeter's director of rugby, was clear about what McArthur brings and where he needs to grow. "His strengths are around-the-field movement, defence, and ability on the ball," Baxter said. He also acknowledged that "there is work to do around the set piece" — the scrums and lineouts that remain a prop's bread and butter. BBC Sport

McArthur's arrival follows the exit of Scott Sio, the 71-cap Australia loosehead who joined Exeter from the Brumbies in 2022. Sio is heading to Cardiff Rugby for 2026-27, where he replaces Wales international Corey Domachowski. Cardiff confirmed the move in May. BBC Sport

That leaves a hole at loosehead for Exeter, and McArthur is the man tasked with helping to fill it. The Chiefs have not disclosed the length of his contract. BBC Sport

For a young prop, the appeal of Sandy Park is straightforward. Baxter has a track record of developing front-row forwards into internationals, and McArthur — mobile, defensively sound, and comfortable with ball in hand — fits the mould Exeter have favoured in recent years. The set-piece work Baxter flagged is the obvious area to sharpen, and Premiership rugby will test that quickly enough.