New deal for Johnson

England flanker Tom Johnson has agreed a new three-year contract with Aviva Premiership club Exeter.

And the Chiefs have also announced fresh two-year terms for Johnson's fellow forward Damian Welch.

Johnson, 31, made his Test debut against South Africa in 2012, five years after joining Exeter from Coventry, and has won five caps.

"Getting the deal done now means I have three-and-a-half seasons of rugby left, which is great," Johnson said.

"That is a long time in a player's career, so now it means I can just knuckle down with the hard work and help continue the curve that the Chiefs are on.

"As a player, it's all in your own hands. You have the time and the opportunity to improve yourself as a player and if you put it in, then the sky is the limit.

"For me, a big goal is obviously the World Cup next year, which I would like to be involved in. However, the main thing is to play regularly for the Chiefs, and I've always said if you are doing that then you always give yourself a shout for international honours."

Lock Welch moved to Exeter from the Scarlets in 2011 and has become a key performer for the Chiefs.