"Bo**ocks" - Jack Nowell the latest Exeter Chiefs star linked with shock exit

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.

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.

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.

Reports in France have linked the Scotland captain with a possible move to Paris to join his Scotland teammate Finn Russell at Racing 92. Hogg, who moved to Sandy Park in 2019, is out of contract next summer with Chiefs struggling to match his current big salary.

Skinner, the Scotland flanker, is understood to have agreed a deal to join Edinburgh next summer, according to The Telegraph.

Gray – the younger brother of fellow Scottish second-row Richie who toured with the Lions in 2013 – signed a two year deal with the club back in 2020. One report suggests he's keen to return to his hometown club Glasgow Warriors at the end of the season.

The England international has seen his career somewhat stall at Sandy Park.