Chiefs hit with Lewis injury

By Mark Stevens
25/1/17

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has been dealt another untimely injury blow with the news that scrum-half Dave Lewis is likely to miss the remainder of the season.

Baxter confirmed today that surgery carried out earlier this week on the 27-year-old had revealed serious damage to cartilage in his left knee.

"We had an inkling from the initial scan that it may have been more than just a tidy up job," said Baxter. "However, we wouldn't really know the full extent until they started to operate. Sadly, it did reveal a lot of damage and in the end it's turned into quite a major operation for Dave, which is most likely going to keep him out for the season.

"Obviously it is a blow for us, especially with Will Chudley also out at the moment, but at the same time we feel we have two good young scrum-halfs in Jack Maunder and Stu Townsend, both of whom need game time and experience.

"At the moment we feel happy to hand the reins over to them, plus we have Haydn Thomas very close to returning as well, but we'll also keep an eye on the market and assess things because we know we are only one injury away from being in  a pickle."

With Lewis and Chudley sidelined, plus Fijian international Niko Matawalu also working his way back from a broken hand, it's not an ideal situation for Baxter ahead of a crunch block of fixtures.

The Chiefs coach, however, remains positive that it will not affect his side too much, adding: "Most coaches will tell you that when you lose one player, it often opens up an opportunity for someone else to come in and shine.

"Recently Jack Maunder has been able to get a good amount of game time under his belt and now Stu Townsend will get his chance as well to show what a good player he is. As I said, I have every confidence in the two lads that they can step up and deliver for us."

On a more positive note, Baxter reported that flanker Julian Salvi (pictured) has this week returned to full training after a bicep injury, as has winger Matt Jess from a long-term toe injury, and both are expected to feature over the next fortnight in the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

"Julian is bang on to return soon,” added Baxter. ”The game this weekend might be a little bit too early for him but he could be around the following week. He is back in full training and up and running, so that's good news and it gives us some more options there in the back-row.

"He has recovered really well and rehabbed really well and the physios are happy so he should be bang on pretty soon. We just have to monitor these last few bits to make sure he is ready to come back and play.

"We have had some bumps and bruises this season in the back-row but Julian is a very good player as he proved last year and the start of this season, so we are looking forward to having him back in action."