Ethan Roots

Ethan Roots (born 10 November 1997) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Exeter Chiefs. Born in New Zealand, he represents England at international level after qualifying on ancestry grounds.

Early life Roots was born in Auckland to a Māori mother (Ngāti Kahungunu) and an English father from Reading. He attended Rosmini College and after leaving school was a construction worker.

Club career After playing for local club East Coast Bays, Roots represented North Harbour in the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup. In December 2020 Roots represented Māori All Blacks against Moana Pasifika at Waikato Stadium.

In March 2021 Roots moved to Europe signing for Ospreys. After two years in Wales, Exeter Chiefs announced that Roots would be joining them from the 2023–24 season.

International career Roots received his first call up to the senior England squad on 17 January 2024 for the 2024 Six Nations Championship for the match against Italy. Roots was given the player of the match award for his debut performance.