Another Exeter Chiefs' star leaving

Dave Ewers signs for Ulster

Exeter Chiefs' forward Dave Ewers is to leave the club at the end of the season.

The 32-year-old is joining United Rugby Championship side Ulster Rugby

The announcement follows news that other prominent players Sam Simmonds and Luke Cowan-Dickie are leaving to play at French Top 14 side Montepellier next season.

Jack Nowell's future is in doubt, but Exeter's director of rugby Rob Baxter has said he is assuming that he will also leave Exeter at the end of this season.

A product of the Chiefs' successful academy system, Dave Ewers made his debut back in 2009 in a British & Irish Cup fixture away to Newport at Rodney Parade.

Since then, he has helped the club to lift the LV= Cup in 2014, as well as two Premiership Rugby titles, as well a Heineken Champions Cup crown.

Exeter says "it remains a mystery how Ewers has never been capped" for England at Test level.

Commenting on his departure, Ewers said: "Obviously, I'm gutted to be leaving the Chiefs. It has been my life for so many years and I've been blessed to have made so many happy memories, as well as life-long friends.

"To sum up all those years in words is incredibly tough to do, but it's been an unbelievable journey and one that I am very proud to have been part of. Like all good things, they have to come an end at some stage and now I have a new chapter in my career to look forward to with Ulster.

"Between now and then, I have a big job to do here at the Chiefs and I will be doing everything I can to ensure that my final months with Exeter are the best they can be."