SEAN LONSDALE
EXETER FLANKER

It was back in mid- September, on the morning of Exeter’s home game with Sale, that Sean Lonsdale got the call from Rob Baxter.
Chiefs’ esteemed rugby director was straight to the point: “Sean, you’re starting!” Lonsdale’s immediate reaction?“Oh, s**t!”Lonsdale need not have worried.
Despite lining up in the No.7 shirt against England openside Tom Curry, who featured in the Sale back row that day alongside Jono Ross and Josh Beaumont, he and his partners-in-crime Don Armand and Tom Lawday did the job Lonsdale, 21...