Lachie Turner seals switch to Exeter Chiefs on two-and-a-half-year contract

Lachie Turner has joined Exeter Chiefs on a two-and-a-half-year deal with immediate effect.

The 28-year-old played for Toulon for the duration of last autumn's World Cup, and has now completed a move to Aviva Premiership high-flyers Exeter.

Exeter sit second in the Premiership table and will take on Wasps in the European Champions Cup quarter-finals next month.

Head coach Rob Baxter hailed 15-cap Australia utility back Turner's arrival as a timely boost as the Chiefs eye a hectic fixture schedule ahead.

"We're really pleased to have Lachie on board," Baxter said.

"We've tracked him for some time now and, once we knew he had finished his time with Toulon, where he was on World Cup cover, we started the process of having a real good look at him.

"Immediately you could see he was a very good rugby player and, having really looked at his game, we believe he can really add something to us in terms of our back-three options.

"Now he's here, we will look to ease him gently following his flight over and then as the week progresses, gradually introduce him into full training with the squad."

Former Waratahs and Reds speedster Turner needed little convincing to join Exeter.

"It's something when the opportunity arose that I jumped at," Turner said.

"I got a call saying Exeter were keen and immediately I said 'do whatever it takes'. I spoke to Rob (Baxter), I had a really conversation with him, and after speaking to him for two minutes I was sold.

"We didn't really talk money or length of deal - I just knew I wanted to be here and it all fell into place from there."