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.
This weekend the Exeter Chiefs sealed the first major piece of silverware in the club’s history as they clinched the LV= Cup title 15-8 at their home ground of Sandy Park against Northampton.
This weekend the Exeter Chiefs sealed the first major piece of silverware in the club’s history as they clinched the LV= Cup title 15-8 at their home ground of Sandy Park against Northampton.
Exeter secured a place in the LV= Cup final at their own Sandy Park ground after beating Bath 22-19 to secure a shot at a first major trophy in their 143-year history.
Exeter Chiefs saw their run of five-straight defeats in the Aviva Premiership - their worst run in the competition - come to an end as they completed a season double over London Irish, who were denied a score for the first time this season in the 18-0 result.
George Ford showed he is ready and on form if required by England as he booted 12 points and showed excellent game control in Bath's 27-23 win at Exeter.
Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder savoured the 17-16 victory over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park that took his side to the top of the Aviva Premiership.
Harlequins director of rugby Conor O'Shea welcomed a "very, very big win" in what he predicted will be the hardest fought Aviva Premiership title race yet.