Exeter Chiefs

Exeter have announced that fly-half Gareth Steenson has agreed a new three-year contract with the Aviva Premiership club.

England number eight Billy Vunipola has been replaced by Thomas Waldrom in the squad preparing for Saturday's QBE International against Australia because of concussion.

With Stuart Lancaster’s England squad now fully assembled at Pennyhill Park and preparing themselves physically and mentally for their clash with New Zealand, two players who have been drawing particular attention are the uncapped duo of George Kruis and Henry Slade.

There were wins for Cardiff Blues, Exeter Chiefs, Gloucester and Stade Francais as the second round of European Rugby Challenge Cup fixtures drew to a close today.

After another thrilling weekend of rugby action from the domestic competitions in the northern hemisphere to the Rugby Championship in the south, the Pick of the Premiership is back once again.

England boss Stuart Lancaster has been dealt yet another injury setback after Exeter confirmed that back-row forward Tom Johnson will miss the autumn Tests next month.

The Premiership picks are coming through thick and fast and this week, week three of the feature, we at Talking Rugby Union wanted to bring you the best tries of the weekend.

Exeter moved up to fourth in the Aviva Premiership table after a 36-13 win over Harlequins at Sandy Park.

In the second instalment of Talking Rugby Union's 'Pick of the Premiership' series, we have two enormous hits from the last round of action to whet your mid-week appetites ahead of next weekend.

Exeter moved top of the Aviva Premiership after goalkickers Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade combined to punish Gloucester's poor discipline at Kingsholm.

After being side-lined in March with both shoulder and knee problems the young England flyer is now back in action and once again on the hunt for an England jersey.

Three Freddie Burns penalties, a conversion and a neat grubber kick through for an Anthony Allen try helped steer Leicester to a 24-20 victory over Exeter at Sandy Park.

Thomas Waldrom celebrated his Exeter debut by powering over for two first-half tries as London Welsh endured a humbling return to the Aviva Premiership.

Exeter will open their defence of the LV= Cup next season with a trip to Wales.

Exeter Chiefs captain Dean Mumm has undergone shoulder surgery and is set to miss the start of the Aviva Premiership season in September.

Exeter have announced the signing of Welshman Adam Hughes on a two-year deal.

Bath have announced the signing of full-back Luke Arscott from their Aviva Premiership rivals Exeter.

England and Exeter wing Jack Nowell, who broke onto the international rugby stage this year, will undergo knee surgery on a persistent problem next month, which will rule him out of England’s pinnacle summer tour to New Zealand.

Sale kept a grip on sixth place in the Aviva Premiership and guaranteed a place in the European Rugby Champions Cup for next season with a 55-12 victory over Exeter at Sandy Park.

Exeter took five important Aviva Premiership points by beating Worcester 38-33 in a high-scoring, entertaining clash at Sixways.