Damian Welch: Exeter Chiefs lock out with chest injury

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Damian Welch (centre) joined Exeter Chiefs from Scarlets in summer 2012

Exeter Chiefs lock Damian Welch will be out for several months with a chest injury he sustained playing in the European Champions Cup.

The 33-year-old suffered a pectoral muscle injury, which requires surgery, in their defeat by Clermont Auvergne on 20 December.

"We will know more of the details post-operation," said head coach Rob Baxter.

"Damian is looking like he is out long-term, which is unfortunate. It's more likely to be months rather than weeks."

Welch joins Chiefs team-mates Henry Slade (broken leg), Luke Cowan-Dickie (broken thumb) and Dave Ewers (knee) on the Premiership club's long-term injury list.