The Chiefs have acknowledged their inability to retain the services of the Cornishman at Sandy Park for the upcoming season and have come to terms with the fact that he will join the roster of significant players departing the club in the last two years.

Rob Baxter recently held negotiations with Nowell in an attempt to reach an agreement, but were unsuccessful in their efforts.

According to The Rugby Paper, he will now move to La Rochelle, where he will work under Ireland legend Ronan O'Gara.

Baxter has now admitted he is planning for life without the Lions wing.

'I've got to plan that Jack Nowell won't be here because that's the current situation,' said Rob Baxter.

"The agreement we've got is that if I find a replacement player who I like the look of, we are going to sign them. Jack is aware of that. He is currently looking in the market.

"If he comes back to me prior to us signing anybody, we can talk. If he comes back after we sign someone who has replaced him and the salary-cap room is not there, then it's not there. It is a very open scenario.

"I am assuming he is not here and I think he is assuming he's going."

DID YOU KNOW? Jack Nowell was originally a product of the Cornish Pirates junior section

The number 8 has already confirmed this will be his final season with the Chiefs as a move to Top 14 heavyweights Montpellier has already been agreed.

“I knew that that decision of playing abroad, you wouldn’t be able to be selected for England, but for me I felt like I’m focused on the here and now,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. 

“I feel like I can still have such an effect in an England shirt, such an effect in an Exeter Chiefs shirt for the next 12 months now, and I think I’m at peace with that decision.

“There’s plenty of players that are going to be coming up behind me and I felt that it was the right time to make a decision for after the World Cup to pursue a new life in France, and for my family and for me to experience that because I have loved my time at Exeter, but I haven’t experienced anything outside of Devon,” he added.

“I feel it was the right decision at the right time and we’ll see how it goes.

“We’ve seen what’s happened recently with clubs unfortunately in England, so it’s a decision I’ve thought about a lot, but ultimately felt like I needed to make that decision.”

The hooker says it will feel 'weird' when it comes to saying goodbye to the Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season.

The England and British & Irish Lions hooker has today confirmed this will be his last season at Sandy Park, bringing to an end a 12-year association with the Gallagher Premiership club.

His next destination will be that of France and a move to Top 14 giants Montpellier-Herault, where he will team up with current Chiefs and England team-mate, Sam Simmonds, who himself has agreed a similar switch.

"It's gutting to be leaving," said the 29-year-old. who to date has made 163 appearances for the Chiefs, scoring 36 tries in the process. 

"I've been at the Chiefs for 12 years and it's all I've known. That said, this opportunity came up and it was one that I had to think long and hard about. I spoke a lot with my family about it and it wasn't an easy decision to make in the end.

"Obviously, it's a different competition, a different language - which I'll have to learn - but I think it's time for a change. Hopefully, I've still got plenty of years left in my career, but this is an opportunity for me to go over there and show what I am all about."

Before now and the end of the season, Cowan-Dickie insists his sole focus is on the Chiefs and delivering performances to a club he says he will forever be grateful to.

"I've still lots to give here," he added. "This is my club and I want to go out on a real high and win some trophies. It will be weird when the time comes to say my goodbyes, but for now I want to do all I can to ensure it finishes how I want it to.

"Since I arrived all those years ago, I've had some unbelievable memories and made friends for life. For me, this is the most important year of my Chiefs career because it's my last. The club, the people, the supporters, they've all done so much for me and I'm excited to get out there and put my best foot forward."

According to L'Equipe, France's top sports news outlet, the massive 6'4, 133kg tighthead is set to join Montpellier, where he will join Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie at the wealthy Top 14 side.

It appears that MHR head coach Philippe Saint-André, who famously led Sale Sharks to a Gallagher Premiership title in 2006, is continuing his inclination to sign English players.

According to Midi Olympique, he comes to replace Zack Henry, leaving for the Stade Français. Former England and Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson will also sign contract extension with Pau.

The young fly-half emerged onto the big stage during the 2016/17 season, making his Exeter Chiefs debut in an Anglo-Welsh Cup tie at Harlequins.

Such was his growing influence within the side that in January 2020, Director of Rugby Rob Baxter made Simmonds captain for the Champions Cup trip to Glasgow Warriors.

By the end of the disrupted season, he would not only lead the Chiefs into two major finals against Racing 92 and Wasps, but he would lift both cups alongside club captain Jack Yeandle.

That double triumph was rewarded on an even higher scale when Joe Simmonds was given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.

With a reputation for physicality and game-changing impact, the 32-year-old player is capable of performing in both flanker and number eight positions.

Having earned over 200 senior appearances for his English club, Ewers played a vital role in securing the historic double of Champions Cup and Premiership in 2020.

"I am thrilled to join Ulster, a club with a proud reputation on the pitch that extends far and wide. I look forward to being one of the Ulster men from next season onwards," said Ewers.

“I have made many memories with Exeter Chiefs over the years, and now I’m excited to see what this next chapter in my career holds as part of a club with big goals.”