Garcia calls time on her career

After a career spanning 14 years and five countries, Spanish icon Patricia Garcia has announced that she will finally call time on her quite incredible career when the final whistle blows at Sixways in two weeks’ time.

Garcia arrived in Exeter at the start of the side’s debut campaign last year, immediately building a connection with the fans after driving from Spain to the Westcountry with all her possessions in her van!

Since then, she has become something of a cult figure at Sandy Park, with her leadership and experience acting as a perfect foil to the youthful energy in the Exeter backline.

Adept at playing across the backline, Garcia became just the second Chiefs women to pass 100 points for the club back in April and her work within the Exeter Chiefs Academy and the Centre of Excellence has paved the way for the next generation of Exeter Chiefs Women to make their mark at Sandy Park.

Garcia’s composure from the tee and ability with ball in hand have been a key component in her side’s run to the Allianz Premier 15s final this season, with her last-second penalty to win the game against Harlequins in January, acting as the catalyst in her side’s charge to the final.

Since making her international debut in 2010, Garcia has made 284 appearances for her country in 15s and 7s, appearing in two 15s World Cups and two 7s World Cup, as well as the Rio 2016 Olympics. Simply put, Garcia is an icon of the sport in Spain and has become a cult figure wherever she has plied her trade.