Exeter Chiefs lose tighthead Iosefa-Scott to French Pro D2 side Provence at season's end

Josh Iosefa-Scott will leave Exeter Chiefs at the end of this season to join French Pro D2 side Provence, according to L’Equipe, dealing the club their first recruitment setback just days into the new campaign. The 30-year-old tighthead was one of Exeter’s most important forwards as they reached the Gallagher Premiership Final last season.

Iosefa-Scott arrived at Sandy Park in 2021 from the Highlanders and Waikato and has been a consistent presence in the Chiefs front row ever since. Standing at 6ft 4in, he was nominated for the Gallagher Player of the Month award in May and scored a try in last weekend’s defeat by Gloucester. He could reach his 100th appearance for the club if he features against Bath this weekend.

Hamilton-born Iosefa-Scott was touted for an England call-up last season, making his impending exit all the more significant. His departure will mark the first notable player loss under Black Knight Entertainment’s ownership of the club.

Provence, his destination, are pushing hard for promotion to the Top 14 after losing last season’s Access Match 47-24 to Perpignan. They have opened this campaign with five consecutive wins and sit unbeaten alongside Brive, with leaders Oyonnax two bonus points clear at the top of the Pro D2 table.

On the incomings side, Exeter are monitoring Edinburgh winger Malelili Satala, who entered the final year of his contract in July. The English-qualified winger impressed on the opening weekend of the United Rugby Championship season, scoring a try against Ulster. He began his career with Leicester Tigers before also featuring for Nottingham in the Championship.

Satala could be lined up as a potential replacement for Olly Woodburn, should the veteran winger choose to retire at the end of the season. Exeter already have Campbell Ridl, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, and Paul Brown-Bampoe among their wide options, but Bristol Bears are also understood to be tracking Satala’s situation, particularly with Louis Rees-Zammit set to miss the opening months of the season.