Exeter Chiefs are stepping up attempts to keep England and Lions winger Jack Nowell as they bid to stem the haemorrhaging of talent from Sandy Park next summer.
Fly-half Joe Simmonds, 26, who had been tipped for a call-up into England’s Six Nations squad, is the latest big name who is in the final year of his contract to agree to a move away from Devon this summer.
He will join elder brother Sam, who is joining Montpellier with Luke Cowan-Dickie in France next season after signing for Pau to replace Stade Francais-bound former Leicester Tigers man Zack Henry.
The Chiefs and Ulster also conf...