Norey taking chance as Exeter hooker

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says he is pleased to see hooker Max Norey take his chance in the side.

The 26-year-old has started Exeter's last four matches - including important Prem wins over Bath and Leicester - in his best run in the side.

The academy graduate has overcome a series of injuries to take his chance in the Exeter front row.

"He's been developing into a good player for a number of years, which is why we've kept re-signing him," Baxter told BBC Sport.

"But he has had these spells with injury, and when you have a decent spell of injury and then people come in and play well, it makes it hard then to get your game times back to back.

"The injury to Jack Yeandle then gives him that chance, and at that time he was training very well, training flat out, and then he gets into the team and has stayed in injury-free and performed very well.

"He's not come out of nowhere, but he's put a spell of games together, and I think that's been the important thing for him."

Having had a number of spells on loan at Champ side Cornish Pirates when fit, Norey has had decent experience.

But he had started just two Prem games in his career before starting Exeter's last three and looking in prime position to make it a fourth successive league start in their crucial final league game of the season at home to Saracens.

"He's got a good all-round game and he's very competitive," added Baxter.

I think those things combined just make him a good hooker.

"Our scrum's been going well; the lineout's been going well, he chucks himself about in five-metre defence in particular. He always wants to try and be the guy who gets off the line and hits somebody first.

"He's a competitive person, and I think the lads are seeing that in him; it's just part of where we are at the moment. It feels like we've got a very competitive group of players, both starting and on the bench, who are kind of ready to go."

Meanwhile, Exeter have confirmed that 20 senior and academy players will leave the club at the end of the season.

Centre Tamati Tua, who has missed the entire campaign after suffering an Achilles tendon injury in pre-season, is among those leaving.

The 27-year-old scored two tries in 19 appearances for the Chiefs last season, having moved to Sandy Park from Super Rugby's Brumbies last summer.

The vast majority of the senior players leaving have already found new clubs - Will Rigg and Rusi Tuima are heading to Newcastle, while Scott Sio is joining Cardiff and Len Ikitau is returning to Australia after his one-year deal.

Scrum-half Charlie Chapman will move to Worcester Warriors, while Christ Tshiunza will be joining Sale.

List of players leaving Exeter:

Harry Ascherl, Will Becconsall, Alfie Bell, Kwenzo Blose, Charlie Chapman, Jack Forsythe, Kian Gentry, Len Ikitau, Orson James, Iwan Jenkins, Dan John, Martin Moloney, Khwezi Mona, Sol Moody, Will Rigg, Louie Sinclair, Scott Sio, Christ Tshiunza, Tamati Tua, Rusi Tuima