New deal for Mitchell

Wales international prop Craig Mitchell has penned a new one-year contract with Premiership club Exeter, while English wing Matt Jess agreed new terms on a two-year deal.

Mitchell, 26, a former Ospreys player who was part of Wales' 2011 World Cup squad, is currently in his second season at Sandy Park.

Jess, 28, joined Exeter from Cornish Pirates in 2008, and has so far scored 47 tries for them.

"It's great that these guys are seeing where we want to go and what we want to achieve," Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said.

"I know they are ambitious players who are probably coming into their prime for what they are going to be as players, so for them to commit nice and early is great for the club and I think it will be great for the players.

"I'm seeing both of these guys coming on in leaps and bounds and for us as a club to have them for the foreseeable future is great.

"The more guys you can get tied down, feeling relaxed and comfortable and knowing where they are for a little while creates a nice balance and solidity to the squad. It means you get a lot of guys training well and playing well and it's a much more stable to be working in."

Jess, who is poised to make his 100th appearance in total for the Chiefs this weekend against Saracens, joined the club in the summer of 2008 from the Cornish Pirates and since gone on to score 47 tries.

Mitchell, meanwhile, moved to Exeter from the Ospreys at the start of last season and has since gone on to establish himself as a key figure in the Chiefs pack, making 24 tries and scoring his solitary try in our away win at Gloucester.