Billy Keast

DoB                       24^th Nov 1996

Birthplace              Truro                                                                                                         Height                    6’ (1.84m)

Weight                   17st 2lbs (109kg)

Position                  Prop

Honours                 England U18/19/20s

A first confirmed Exeter Chiefs player to be registered on a contract with the Cornish Pirates this season was that of prop Billy. He was previously dual-registered from the Chiefs in both the 2017/18 and 2018/19 seasons, during which he made 31 appearances for the Cornish Pirates.

Billy was born and raised in Cornwall and played his first rugby at the age of nine for Newquay Hornets. Educated at Treviglas Community College and then Truro College, his game continued to develop after signing for Exeter Chiefs. Indeed, not only has he achieved international recognition with England at various age groups, but he has also figured prominently in the past for both Redruth and Plymouth Albion in the National Leagues.

The 2016/17 season saw him feature for the Exeter Braves in the Aviva A League, and his big break came that November when he made his Chiefs debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup clash away to Harlequins. Also, a week later, he was thrown in from the start in the same competition, putting in a highly impressive display as the Chiefs saw off Cardiff Blues 62-25 at Sandy Park.

After making a big impact with the Chiefs, he has unfortunately been unlucky with injuries in recent seasons. They proved disruptive, but back to playing some very good rugby at the tail end of last season it is hoped that his setbacks are behind him, and he can look to push on once more.

Always destined to take up rugby as a youngster, of no surprise Billy was also destined to be a prop! – Just like his dad Richard, the former Redruth and Cornwall player