Stu Townsend (born 11 October 1995)^[1] is a scrum-half playing professional rugby union for Exeter Chiefs in Premiership Rugby.

Born in Torbay, Townsend was first introduced to rugby as a six-year-old at his local club Kingsbridge. He was educated at the local Primary and Community College before attending Ivybridge Community College, where he joined the Exeter Chiefs Academy system.^{[citation needed]}

Townsend featured for England at various age levels, including that of the Under-20s,^{[citation needed]} and also in the National Leagues with both Taunton Titans and the Cornish Pirates.^{[citation needed]}

After playing regularly in the Championship Townsend was recalled to the Chiefs squad midway through the 16/17 season after injuries to fellow nines, Dave Lewis and Will Chudley.

After a number of appearances off the bench both in the Premiership and Europe, on his first full starting appearance he scored a try against Leicester Tigers at Welford Road.^[2] He started the final as Exeter Chiefs defeated Wasps to be crowned champions of the 2016-17 English Premiership.^[3]

He scored a try for Exeter in the second minute of the semi-final against Newcastle Falcons to help book a place in the final of the Anglo-Welsh Cup for Exeter to be played against Bath Rugby on the 18 March 2018.^[4] The final was rearranged to March 30 due to snow and Townsend played as the Chiefs won 28-11.^[5]