Chiefs' star Nowell moving to France?

Winger said to be heading for La Rochelle

It is understood that fans' favourite Jack Nowell is moving to French Top 14 club La Rochelle.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting the news, which would be the latest part of an exodus of Exeter Chiefs' senior players heading to the continent.

Another national newspaper, The Times, reports that La Rochelle, on the Atlantic coast, has offered the player £200,000 a year more in pay than the Chiefs.

Along with other Premiership teams, the Sandy Park club is having to reduce its wage bill to keep within new lower salary constraints.

The team is also making changes after a shaky season, which has begun to turn around in recent weeks. The Chiefs are currently sixth in the league table, but are in the Premiership Cup final against London Irish this weekend.

Nowell's team-mates Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds and Harry Williams previously announced their departures.

A regular England international under Eddie Jones, Nowell hasn't appeared in the disastrous start to new coach Steve Borthwick's team.

Along with his other departing colleagues, his move to France probably spells the end of his England career, as overseas players are currently banned from playing for the national team under RFU rules.

Neither the Newlyn-born player nor the Exeter Chiefs have yet confirmed the move.