#5. Joe Simmonds
Having failed to break into the England set-up, brother of Sam, Joe could be tempted by an overseas move if the right sort of offer lands on his lap.
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 he was given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List.
#6. Jannes Kirsten
The29-year-old versatile forward is set to return to Pretoria where he started his career in 2013 with a return to his former club, the Blue Bulls.
Back-rower Kirsten, who also plays at lock, left the Bulls to spend a season in Japan at Toyota Verblitz before arriving in Devon three years ago.
He has since established himself as a fan favourite at Sandy Park.
