Following media reports over the weekend regarding the official registration of Exeter Chiefs winger Nemani Nadolo, chief executive Tony Rowe has today issued the following club statement.

Mr Rowe said: “Unfortunately during our Aviva Premiership fixture away to Leeds Carnegie on Sunday, April 3, Exeter Rugby Club inadvertently included three foreign players within our match-day squad, when official rules permit us to only include two players. This was partly down to a clerical error on the club’s part and we have now been asked by the RFU to submit to them our reasons for fielding three foreign players.

“We are aware this will need to go before a disciplinary panel, which is likely to be held later this week, and we intend to co-operate fully with the authorities over this matter.

“As a club we hope the authorities take into account our previous good record and there was no intention on our part to try and gain any kind of unfair advantage.”