Josh Iosefa-Scott: Exeter Chiefs prop set for France move next summer

Iosefa-Scott has been called up to England’s A squad and has been offered a new deal with the Chiefs.

But given he is down the pecking order with England, Baxter says it makes sense for him to find the best deal he can for his and his family’s future.

Baxter has been impressed with the forward, who came to Exeter as a relative unknown and helped them reach last season’s Prem final, where he scored a try in the 26-17 loss to Northampton at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

“He came on what you call an opportunity-type contract, which is tough to come over with a young family early in your career and take that opportunity,” Baxter said.

“He’s done exactly what I want every player at Exeter Chiefs to do, to play in a way and inside a team that does well enough that if we can’t offer them a good enough contract and someone else can offer a better contract then great, because that that shows they’ve played well in a good team and they’ve attracted interest and that’s what looks after their careers.

“It’s the positive way to leave the club, and I know that sounds a little difficult, but what do we want?

“Do we want to play play only at a level every year and only succeed as a team every year where nobody else wants our players.

“If nobody else wants your players that’s probably a sign that you’ve got a group of poor players playing poor rugby.

“So for me these are positive issues for us to have and Josh is a great example of that in these last couple of seasons – that last season particularly, he had a very good, very consistent season. He’s a big man with great skills.”