One of Rob Baxter’s main priorities at Exeter is to ensure that Jack Nowell does not activate an exit clause at the end of the season.
The England international, who won the last of his 36 caps against Argentina during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, played through the pain with as Exeter won the European and domestic double in 2020
The transfer market has loosened up following George Ford and Ellis Genge’s departure from Leicester, with Bath centre Jonathan Joseph also close to announcing a move to Sale.
RUCK understands Nowell is leaning towards staying on a reduced, despite interest domestically and abroad with clubs in Japan especially interested.
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LIST | Five senior Exeter Chiefs players set for exit in 2022
Exeter boss Rob Baxter has revealed players have not lowered their wage expectations in line with the Premiership’s lower salary cap.
The wage cap was cut by £1.4m, to £5m, in the wake of the pandemic.
“The majority of them still coming in are still salaries that you would expect to be paying if it was a £6.4m market,” Baxter said.
“There doesn’t really seem to be, at this stage, that kind of realisation that it’s a big drop-off.”
As a result, it looks like the Chiefs are about to lose a number of current stars if reports are to be believed.
#1. Jonny Hill
England second row Hill is attracting strong interest from Sale, and the move is reportedly near completion according to the Mail Online.
The Sharks are in the market for a replacement for Springbok lock Lood de Jager who looks set to return to South Africa.
Hill has blossomed under his watch since being picked up from Gloucester’s academy, establishing himself as a first-choice England international and earning a call up to the Lions tour last summer.
