Prop Nixon confirms return to France after just a year at Exeter

Sam Nixon has confirmed he is heading back to France following the end of the current season with Exeter. The 25-year-old joined the Chiefs last summer from Bayonne, who were relegated from the Top 14, and he is now set to head back across the Channel to take up a two-year deal with Grenoble, the Pro D2 side. 

An Exeter statement read: "Sam Nixon says it has been an absolute pleasure to pull on the Exeter Chiefs jersey this season. However, his stay at Sandy Park is set to come to an end next month as he is poised to return back across the English Channel to take up a two-year contract with French Pro D2 side, Grenoble.

"The 25-year-old prop moved to the Chiefs ahead of the 2021/22 season from Bayonne and was quickly thrust into the fray by Rob Baxter, making his first-team debut in the Gallagher Premiership clash away to Leicester Tigers.

"Since then, Nixon has also gone on to feature for the Devon club in both the Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup, as well as the Premiership, amassing ten appearances for the club."

Nixon said: "It has been an absolute pleasure for me to pull on the Chiefs jersey. The club, the people and the supporters have been fantastic from day one and even though it will only have been a short stay, it's been an incredible experience for me."

Nixon, who previously spent time at Bath, Leeds and Rotherham in England, joins Jonny Hill, Tom O'Flaherty, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Jack Walsh, Sam Skinner and Don Armand in departing the club at the end of the season. His exit was confirmed just days after Exeter parted company with immediate effect with defence coach Julian Salvi.   

The Chiefs still have two games left in the current Premiership season but coach Rob Baxter opted to make the change now while the club is on a three-week break without a match.