Simmonds to have an operation on his hip

EXETER Chiefs’ explosive number eight Sam Simmonds is set to undergo surgery on his troublesome hip which means his domestic season is over with the club still chasing the long shot of making the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter also said it is “unlikely” that Simmonds, 27, will be available for England’s summer tour to Australia.

England kick off a three-Test series against the Wallabies in Perth on July 2, which is followed by games in Brisbane and Sydney.

Asked about 14 times-capped Simmonds’ prospects of making the trip, Baxter said: “Sam will be unlikely to, because he is going to be having an operation.

“It is a niggly hip injury, which has been causing him pain.

“If he gets this sorted now, it means he can have a good recovery time and a good pre-season.

“It is a huge year for anybody who has got international ambitions next year, with it being World Cup year.”

Baxter, meanwhile, has delivered more encouraging bulletins on three of Simmonds’ England colleagues - hooker Luke CowanDickie, winger Jack Nowell and lock Jonny Hill.

Cowan-Dickie suffered a knee injury during England’s Six Nations victory over Wales in February, while Nowell broke his arm in the tournament finale against France just over eight weeks ago.

Lock Hill, who will join Exeter’s Gallagher Premiership rivals Sale Sharks next season, has not played since early January due to a stress fracture of his lower leg.

Baxter added: “Luke has got a good chance of being ready for the end stage of the season, so in all possibility could still tour.

“As far as we are looking at it, they (Cowan-Dickie and Hill) will be in with England for some rehab so England can have a look at them early next week.”

A 36-man playing squad is convening in London on Sunday for a three-day training camp. Head coach Eddie Jones has not called up any Chiefs players.