Western Morning News (Saturday)
Chiefs sign former Bath tighthead prop
EXETER Chiefs have confirmed the signing of former Bath Rugby tighthead prop Sam Nixon.
The 24-year-old frontrower returns to the Gallagher Premiership after a season in France, where he featured prominently for Bayonne in the Top 14 in a campaign which eventually saw them relegated.
Before that Nixon was part of Bath’s squad, where he ran out for them in the Premiership,
Heineken Champions Cup, as well as the Premiership Rugby Cup having converted from a loosehead when he arrived at the club.
Discussing his move back to the West Country having also had a loan spell with Plymouth Albion during the 2016/17 season, Dorchester-born Nixon said: “I’m massively looking forward to things.
“For me, it’s a dream come true to come back to the South West and play for a great club so close to home.
“Over the years, I’ve come up against Exeter a few times and you know it’s always going to be a tough test for you as an opponent. They’ve lead the way for a long time and just turning up for training here, you can see the standards are at a new level.
“I’m just going to get stuck into the training, listen to the coaches and just soak up as much info as I can to help me improve.”
“Pre-season is always tough, wherever you are. That said, everyone has turned up in good nick, everyone is working hard and we’re just looking to hit the ground running. For me, it’s good to be tested every day and see where I am. Hopefully, preseason will go to plan and that I’ll put myself in with a shout for selection that first week.”
Discussing his time in France, Nixon said: “I won’t lie, it was a weird one, especially with the whole Covid thing.
“It was, however, a good experience and I learnt a lot. The fans over there were unbelievable, very passionate, and that just helped bring the best out in me.”