Exeter Chiefs Sign replacement for departing England star

Exeter prop Harry Williams has been side-lined with a significant knee injury until the end of the season, and is set to leave in the Summer, making this a perfect time for Painter's arrival.

Williams suffered the injury in the 40-5 defeat to Harlequins, as Exeter Chiefs were convincingly beaten in 'Big Game 14' at Twickenham Stadium. Painter is excited with the move to Devon, and is ready to make an immediate impact.

The 24-year-old tight-head prop has played 84 times for the Saints, since graduating their Academy and making his debut against Saracens in 2018. A hulking presence in the front row, Painter weighs in at 133kg, and at 6ft 3in, he can't be missed, not even from 'Row Z'.

"I’m looking forward to the move and being part of what should be a really exciting end to the season,” Painter said on Exeter Chiefs official club website.

“Exeter are a club I have huge respect for. Having come up against them numerous times in the past, you know the threat they pose in terms of their pack of forwards.

“Strengths of what they do well are what I like to think I have within my own game. Going down there, testing myself in a new environment, I think it will be good for my game. Having a new outlook on things, learning from different coaches, playing with different players, it’s all going to add to my game.

“At the same time, I want to say a huge than-you to everyone at the Saints. I’ve loved my time at the club and enjoyed some very special memories over the years. I’ve made lifelong friends and I will always be grateful for the opportunities they have given me.

“As I said, this is a new opportunity for me and it’s one I want to take with both hands. It’s an exciting move for me and with plenty still to play for this season, I hope I can add something to the squad over the coming weeks.”

Chiefs’ Director of Rugby Rob Baxter, is excited with Painter's arrival. Baxter knows how impressive the prop can be, and recognises the gap he has to fight for in the Chiefs front row.

“Knowing that Harry would be leaving at the end of the season, we’ve being keeping a close eye on the tight-head market,” said Baxter. “Obviously, we’ve got the likes of Marcus Street, Patrick Schickerling and Josh Iosefa-Scott already here, but we had already started talking to Ehren and Northampton about him potentially joining earlier than the start of next season.

“That kind of lined-up with plans Northampton had as well, so we started the procedure before Harry got injured. Now that he has picked up that injury, it works doubly well for us to get him here as soon as possible. If everything goes to plan, he should be with us at the end of this week and then we’ll get him registered and available for the remainder of the season.

With plenty of experience within the Premiership, Baxter expects strong performances from Painter, with lots of competition in the Chiefs front row.

“He’s got a bit of experience, probably without playing the game time he would have liked,” added Baxter. “At the same time, he’s 24, he’s a big guy and his super strength is scrummaging. There is no mystery in the fact that we want to add something in that area. Obviously, there are things he needs to work on, but there are things we can help him with as well.

“It’s the same with every player as they change clubs. Sometimes that new challenge can be good for them, so I think he will fit in very well and look forward to getting him down here and cracking on with things.”

Tigers are playing the long game with their bid to sign England flanker when his contract at Sale Sharks expires at the end of the season.

Holding a strong interest from 2021, Steve Borthwick was initially putting in the hard yards to try and make Curry move to Welford Road.

Curry became the youngest player to start an international for England in 90 years when he made his senior bow in Argentina on the 2017 summer tour.

Sharks remain adamant that their academy product is going nowhere and RUCK understands he is close to signing a contract extension at the AJ Bell Stadium.

However, Tigers will continue to wait in the wings in case his circumstances change with no contract extension yet signed.

Premiership clubs are prepared to resist any attempts to eliminate the regulation prohibiting Steve Borthwick from selecting overseas-based player.

According to the Mail Online, ‘clubs are hell-bent’ on retaining the rule despite sources indicating that the salary cap is now unlikely to revert back to £6.4million a year — from the current, reduced £5m — as was intended.

Luckily for Willis, who was struggling to find a club, Bristol bears have emerged as genuine suitors for the back-rower.

According to The Rugby Paper, Pat Lam's side will offer an an England lifeline with his international career likely over if he extended his time with Toulouse.

A try scorer on his debut against Georgia in November 2020, made an impact in his first three Test appearances spanning three months.

A powerful scavenger for possession, he learned the game at Reading Abbey RFC and joined the Wasps Senior Academy from Henley College, Berkshire for the 2015/16 season.

Willis scored again for his country in England’s 2021 Six Nations tie against Italy at Twickenham, and featured in Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2022 Autumn Nations Series.

Borthwick named Willis in his 36-player squad for the 2023 Guinness Six Nations.

Nowell is reportedly his nearing a move to he European champions once his contract with Exeter Chiefs concludes at the end of the season.

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."

The Saracens powerhouse is currently exploring his options in Japan as his contract with the Premiership leaders is set to expire this summer.

According to The Rugby Paper, the England number 8 could be joining England teammate Manu Tuilagi in Japan and has enlisted the help of former Red Rose head coach Eddie Jones.

Both could join Tokyo Sungoliath, where Jones continues to hold significant influence as a long-standing consultant.

The role caused significant controversy during his time as England boss.

This season, they boast significant names such as Wallabies star Samu Kerevi and former All Black Aaron Cruden

Tuilagi's exit from Sale took a huge forward step as Sharks confirmed the signing of inside-centre Sam Bedlow for next season

Alex Sanderson admitted only last week that an extension for Tuilagi was proving difficult to nail down.

Lawes has revealed he is unsure about his club future after confirming that he has an escape clause written into his Northampton Saints contract.

The 33-year-old versatile forward is due to be under contract at Franklin’s Gardens until 2024, but could now leave at the end of the season.

Reports in France have suggested Toulon, who signed Dan Biggar from Saints last November, would be at the front of the queue to sign the two-tour Lion.

Lawes said: ‘My contract is not necessarily up this year, there’s options there,’ he said. ‘At the end of the day, I’ve got to do what’s best for myself and my family.

‘I’d love to stay at Saints, at the same time you’ve got to find what’s best for yourself and your family, like Dan Biggar has done.

‘That’s the most important thing, especially when you’re getting a bit older. I think I’ll probably get one more contract out of myself, then call it a day at the end of that.’