BREAKING: Exeter Chiefs confirm the signing of international forward

The 27-year-old loosehead prop is due to arrive at Sandy Park later this month, once his commitments at international level are completed.

His arrival will provide a significant boost to Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, not just for the remainder of this season, but for the next two years as well.

Abuladze will become the first-ever Georgian player to feature for the Devon club, but he comes highly recommended and will offer sizeable bulk, tipping the scales at 122kg and standing at 6ft 1in.

Welcoming the Tbilisi-born forward, Baxter said: “I’m expecting him to do well. Anyone who wants to know more about him only needs to look at the Autumn internationals, where he played a huge part in some significant games for Georgia.

"The one that probably stands out the most is the Wales game, where he came on in the second half and really put the pressure on at scrum time.

“Having watched him play, I’ve been really impressed with him. He’s like any Georgian, he’s good around the set-piece, but he’s also more mobile than people will think and he’s a very strong ball-carrier.

“Obviously, there will be one or two challenges around the language, but he does understand English pretty well. When I spoke to Rob Hunter (forwards coach) about him, all he asked was can he bend over and push and get us up the field to which I said ‘yes’, so he ticks all the right boxes.”

Below, we take a look at five players who've ben linked with a move to Sandy Park.

According to The Rugby Paper, Chiefs' Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, may adhere to his existing approach of recruiting players with potential for development when seeking a replacement for Williams.

The reported target for the role is Northampton's 24-year-old powerhouse Painter, who weighs a stunning 21 stone.

Born in London, Painter represented England at age-grade level. Having played for England Under-16s, Under-17s, and Under-18s, he was selected for the Under-20s for the Six Nations and World Rugby Under-20s Championships in France in 2018.

Linked with a move to Exeter Chiefs by The Rugby Paper, Newcastle's versatile back-rower would add some serious bite to Exeter's depleted pack.

Part of the Falcons squad which earned promotion during 2019-20, Chick recovered from a serious knee injury during the back half of the 2020-21 season and earned an England call-up for their summer tests, making his debut against the USA at Twickenham in July 2021.

Scoring four tries in his 21 appearances during 2021-22, including captaining the side on a number of occasions, Chick went on to play for England in their end-of-season fixture against the Barbarians.

The Rugby Paper have reported today that Moriarty could return to the Premiership next season with Exeter Chiefs and Northampton Saints bidding for his services.

Destructive and powerful back row Moriarty joined the Dragons in the summer of 2018 after moving from Gloucester.

Having played for England Under 18 and Under 20, Moriarty made his Wales international debut against Ireland in August, 2015.

He originally missed out on selection for Warren Gatland’s 2015 World Cup squad but was brought in after Eli Walker’s hamstring injury forced the Ospreys winger out of the tournament.

DID YOU KNOW? Moriarty’s father Paul played in the first World Cup in 1987 before forging a successful rugby league career with Widnes.

Chiefs have been linked with a potential move for Bristol Bears hooker Harry Thacker who has spent the last five years in the West Country.

The 28-year-old former England U20 international, above, has been playing for the Bears since leaving his hometown club Leicester Tigers where he started his career.

Rob Baxter is in the market for another hooker after it was confirmed Luke Cowan-Dickie will join Montpellier next season.

Baxter is looking at Racing 92’s versatile Fijian international Ben Volavola as they search for someone to replace Joe Simmonds, who will reportedly leave the club this summer.

The 31-year-old fly-half has been well-travelled since starting his career in Australia with the Waratahs a decade ago.

He has yet to play in the Premiership, but that could be about to change.