Exeter Chiefs prop Hoani Tui to join Lyon

Exeter prop Hoani Tui will join Lyon at the end of the season after signing a two-year deal with the French club.

The 29-year-old joined Chiefs from Calvisano in 2010 and has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the club.

"I have no problem with a player moving on for positive reasons," Exeter head coach Rob Baxter said.

"Hoani is moving on - not because we don't want him to stay - but more that a very good French club is prepared to offer him a very good contract."

Baxter added: "He has been a great player for us, he's a good guy around the place and he's continued to perform very well for us even since we knew he was going to leave."

Lyon, who are top of the French second division, feature former French internationals Lionel Nallet and Sebastien Chabal, as well as Argentina back-rower Juan Manuel Leguizamon.