Exeter's Sam Simmonds declared fit after recovery from ankle injury

Exeter Chiefs have received a much-needed boost in their bid to retain the Premiership title as Sam Simmonds has overcome an ankle injury and has been declared fit for Saturday's game against Sale Sharks.

Simmonds sustained the blow in the 21st round clash against Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens last weekend where he was forced off the field in the 64th minute.

Speaking to BBC Sport, Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter the 26-year-old was taken off the field as a precautionary move and he did not need a scan.

"It was always very precautionary, he just rolled it a little bit," said Baxter.

"Because he came off the pitch everyone's kind of jumped at it. If you watch what happened, his ankle just flexed backwards a little bit, it wasn't that severe, if anything he could have played on.

"We were about to make a back row substitution any way, it just made complete sense, the other two guys were going well and hadn't picked anything up."

Earlier, Simmonds broke the Premiership record for most tries in a season with 20 tries and was selected in the British and Irish Lions squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Exeter Chiefs are currently at second place in the table and will face Sale Sharks in the final round of the league stage at Sandy Park on 12th June as they look to secure a home play-off berth.