Exeter Chiefs: English-qualified forward on verge of injury return following lengthy layoff
Exeter Chiefs director of rugby, Rob Baxter, has confirmed star flanker Jacques Vermeulen is on the verge of a return to action following a lengthy lay-off.?
The South African powerhouse, who now qualifies for England at Test level through residency, has missed the early rounds of the Premiership season after picking up a knee injury in pre-season.
Jacques Vermeulen on verge of Premiership return
Speaking to the media ahead of his side’s clash with Bristol Bears, Baxter confirmed his star back-rower could be in line for a return to the field this weekend, but needs to get through training first.
“Jacques Vermeulen is looking pretty good,” he said. “If he gets through this week he could well be available. We didn’t pick up any significant injuries at the weekend either, so overall it’s been a pretty good week for us.”
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Vermeulen has become an integral part of the Exeter side since his arrival from the Sharks in 2019. He has amassed 83 appearances for the Chiefs to date, scoring an impressive 34 tries in the process, and has helped the club win one Premiership title and one Champions Cup.
He was largely expected to skipper Exeter in the early parts of the season, with Welsh international Dafydd Jenkins also out of action following double shoulder-knee surgery this summer.
Vermeulen’s form in the Premiership has also seen him attract interest from Steve Borthwick, and he is now eligible for England.
Franco Molina set for debut
Vermeulen isn’t the only potential change to the Chiefs match-day pack, with new recruit Franco Molina also in line for his first appearance since joining the club.
The towering lock impressed for Los Pumas during the Rugby Championship but arrived at Sandy Park last week and in that time has impressed Baxter.
Commenting on Molina, Baxter said: “Settled in very well, he’s training really well. He looks a really switched on, intellegent guy and he’s picking things up remarkably quickly. He’s fit and ready to play, and he could feature this weekend.”
With the duo expected to return to the side, it could lead to any combination of Christ Tshiunza, Ethan Roots, Ross Vintcent, Greg Fisilau or Richard Capstick either dropping out of the starting XV or the match-day 23 all-together.
Baxter also admitted he will factor in the likes of Fisilau, Roots and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso being with England earlier this week in his selection.
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