Honey Kerslake, daughter of late All Blacks legend Jerry Collins, has been signed to the Exeter Chiefs Women in the UK for the 2026-2027 season.
The club, based in Devon, said Kerslake had just left Exeter College after completing her A-levels in English literature, PE and 3D design. She will join the club for pre-season during the UK summer.
Kerslake, an 18-year-old back-rower, previously gained recognition with international honours as England U18s co-captain but also played above her age-grade for the England U21s.
She was also part of the Exeter College team that won the ACE Girls League championship at Twickenham last year.
Exeter Chiefs Women’s assistant coach Oli Bishop said Honey was a “clearly exceptional player who had benefited from our pathway system at Exeter College”.
“She was also part of our U23s squad and she has already trained with us this season, so we have been keeping a close eye on her.
“The England age-group teams have clearly seen her potential too. Honey was the only player to be called up from the U18s to the U21s this year, which is significant at this age. We look forward to watching her develop in the Exeter Chiefs environment and supporting her first steps as a professional rugby player.”
Kerslake said she was “excited and grateful” to start the new chapter with the Exeter Chiefs Women to both “challenge myself and grow as a player”.
Previously, Kerslake had credited her rise in rugby to her father, who died with his partner in a car crash in 2015.
In an interview with Six Nations Rugby, she said: “His inspiration has been one of my biggest driving factors to play rugby.”
“My family in New Zealand still tell stories of everything that he brought to his community, on and off the pitch.
“I see my family out there as much as I can. They came over last year for the Under-18s Six Nations and watched me play, including my grandma and auntie.”
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