Prop Nixon confirms return to France after just a year at Exeter

Sam Nixon has confirmed he is heading back to France following the end of the current season with Exeter. The 25-year-old joined the Chiefs last summer from Bayonne, who were relegated from the Top 14, and he is now set to head back across the Channel to take up a two-year deal with Grenoble, the Pro D2 side. 

An Exeter statement read: “Sam Nixon says it has been an absolute pleasure to pull on the Exeter Chiefs jersey this season. However, his stay at Sandy Park is set to come to an end next month as he is poised to return back across the English Channel to take up a two-year contract with French Pro D2 side, Grenoble.

“The 25-year-old prop moved to the Chiefs ahead of the 2021/22 season from Bayonne and was quickly thrust into the fray by Rob Baxter, making his first-team debut in the Gallagher Premiership clash away to Leicester Tigers.

Scaling The French Rugby Pyramid | Zack Henry | Le French Rugby Podcast | EP 27

We’re joined by an Englishman in the Pyrenees as Pau fly half Zack Henry talks us through his journey from Rouen in Federale 1 up through PRO D2 and to the Top 14 via a stint at Leicester in the Premiership. We hear how playing under Steve Borthwick at Tigers wasn’t the right fit, what Gabin Villiere was like back in his days as a back-up scrum half in the French third tier, how dangerous Chouffe socials can be and what happens when you injure your hamstring and are sent to a faith healer rather than a physio! Plus, Johnnie makes a big prediction about who will miss out on the Top 14 play-offs, we discuss Spain being stripped of their place at the World Cup in France next year and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD20 at checkout for 20% off any full price item at Meater.com

Scaling The French Rugby Pyramid | Zack Henry | Le French Rugby Podcast | EP 27

We’re joined by an Englishman in the Pyrenees as Pau fly half Zack Henry talks us through his journey from Rouen in Federale 1 up through PRO D2 and to the Top 14 via a stint at Leicester in the Premiership. We hear how playing under Steve Borthwick at Tigers wasn’t the right fit, what Gabin Villiere was like back in his days as a back-up scrum half in the French third tier, how dangerous Chouffe socials can be and what happens when you injure your hamstring and are sent to a faith healer rather than a physio! Plus, Johnnie makes a big prediction about who will miss out on the Top 14 play-offs, we discuss Spain being stripped of their place at the World Cup in France next year and we pick our MEATER Moment of the Week…
Use the code FRENCHPOD20 at checkout for 20% off any full price item at Meater.com

“Since then, Nixon has also gone on to feature for the Devon club in both the Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup, as well as the Premiership, amassing ten appearances for the club.”

Nixon said: “It has been an absolute pleasure for me to pull on the Chiefs jersey. The club, the people and the supporters have been fantastic from day one and even though it will only have been a short stay, it’s been an incredible experience for me.”

Nixon, who previously spent time at Bath, Leeds and Rotherham in England, joins Jonny Hill, Tom O’Flaherty, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Jack Walsh, Sam Skinner and Don Armand in departing the club at the end of the season. His exit was confirmed just days after Exeter parted company with immediate effect with defence coach Julian Salvi.   

The Chiefs still have two games left in the current Premiership season but coach Rob Baxter opted to make the change now while the club is on a three-week break without a match.