Juggling full-time study with high-performance sport is always a challenging process. It hasn't stopped current student Richard Capstick though who, in his final year of study has managed to deal with the loss of BUCS Super Rugby as a result of Covid-19, by breaking into the Exeter Chiefs matchday squad on a regular basis.

The young flanker has been a prominent feature in EURFC matchday sides since starting his degree, appearing in 19 BUCS Super Rugby fixtures, notching 9 tries, as well as being the youngest tryscorer in the Premiership for Exeter Chiefs as well.

Combining studying with a professional career is "tough" admits Capstick, but he acknowledges how important combining both is for his future prospects.

"It is tough, but it sets you in good stead for later life. Being able to manage your time is such an important quality."

This year though, against the backdrop of a global pandemic, Capstick has made the crucial development step of breaking into the Exeter Chiefs matchday side. To date, he has made 24 appearances in all competitions for the Chiefs, which include a Man of the Match performance against Newcastle Falcons and a stunning score against Wasps that saw him leave All Black Lima Sopoaga clutching at thin air.

Despite all of his recent success in an Exeter Chiefs shirt, Capstick credits the university pathway for allowing him to hone his craft.

"It provided me with a different avenue for my rugby development while receiving a first-class education," he explains, before adding that the link between Exeter Chiefs and Exeter University has "enabled (him) to have the much-needed support to help achieve (his) academic and sporting aspirations."

Capstick has already seen and done a lot in the game despite his tender years, with the honour of representing his country in the U20 World Cup standing out as one of his proudest moments.

Coupled with his last-minute try against France in the 2020 Six Nations to snatch victory for England, he already boasts an impressive record with a Red Rose on his shirt, having made 11 appearances for England U20s since his debut in 2019.

His performances have been noticed by those in the know as well, with several well-established pundits naming him as one to watch for the future.

Turning attentions back to university rugby, Capstick says that Varsity and the North-South fixtures at Sandy Park have been "right up there" as his standout moments in an EURFC shirt, with his try against Leeds Beckett in the most recent North-South fixture helping haul his side back into a match they would go on to win in the final play.

There has been a lot to learn in a short period of time for Capstick, who highlighted "the importance of recovery" as the crucial thing he has learnt from his extended run in a Chiefs jersey.

"Going from game to game with a week turn around, the importance of recovery is massive with the physicality and collisions you’re involved in these games!" he explains.

"To manage any niggles and get yourself as fresh as possible for the next weekend game is probably my biggest learn so far."

With such experience in his position at Exeter Chiefs, the opportunity to learn off of the likes of Sam Simmonds, Don Armand, Dave Ewers and Jacques Vermeulen will surely stand Capstick in good stead, as he looks to keep up his impressive performances and continue to be a regular feature in the Chiefs side.

Whilst it is fantastic to be a part of such a successful squad, he is honest in saying that he wants to feature more regularly, understanding that that will come if he continues to apply himself in the way that he has been so far throughout his career.

"You see the boys on the pitch winning trophies, and you want to be a part of it," he muses. "It's nice to be successful but you want to be the one on the pitch winning the match or part of the 15 that start."