Chudley injury blow for Chiefs

By Mark Stevens
16/1/17

Exeter Chiefs have been dealt an untimely injury blow with the news that scrum-half Will Chudley is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

Head coach Rob Baxter confirmed following Sunday’s European Champions Cup win over Ulster that the 28-year-old could be out for at least two months with a torn pectoral muscle.

Chudley missed Exeter's 31-19 win over Ulster on Sunday and now looks set for an extended time on the sidelines.

"Will’s going to be out for a little while," said Baxter. "We are still fully assessing the extent of the injury, but we won't suddenly see him on the pitch against Clermont on Saturday.

"It is a chest injury – it looks like a pectoral tear. At this stage it is a little bit early to say how long he'll be out for, but you are probably looking at a couple of months at the very least."

Chudley's injury does at least open the door for others at Sandy Park. Dave Lewis was handed the number nine jersey for Sunday's Pool Five clash, with Stu Townsend coming on in the final stages to make his European debut.

In recent weeks Jack Maunder has also impressed as deputy to Chudley, while the Chiefs could also call upon Fijian international Niko Matawalu, once he has recovered from a hand injury.

"It means Stu and Jack are going to have a big work load over the next couple of months and Dave Lewis has the opportunity to play plenty of rugby as well," added Baxter.