Exeter Chiefs lose lock Damian Welch for 'several months'

Exeter Chiefs lock Damian Welch has been ruled out for "several months" after suffering a chest injury at Clermont Auvergne.

Welch, who joined the Chiefs from the Scarlets in 2012, suffered a serious pectoral muscle injury which requires surgery.

Coach Rob Baxter told the club's website: "Damian is looking like he is out long-term, which is unfortunate.

"He's having an operation on his chest-pec area and we will know more of the details post-op. That is looking like that is it for a little while for him - it's more likely to be months rather than weeks."

Welch joins Henry Slade (broken leg), Luke Cowan-Dickie (broken thumb) and Dave Ewers (knee) on the sidelines.