Exeter sign Mitch Lees from London Welsh

London Welsh forward Mitch Lees will be joining Exeter Chiefs next season after signing a two-year deal with the Devon club.
The 25-year-old Australian, who is able to play either at lock or in the back row, follows in the footstep of London Scottish prop Tomas Francis after an impressive season with London Welsh in Championship.
He said: “I’m really excited by the move, I’ve had a great season with London Welsh and really enjoyed my time there, but moving to the Chiefs is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.
“This is only my second year as a professional player, so this move has come a lot earlier than I imagined it would have done. Exeter are a great club, one of the top sides in England, so to get the chance to come to play for them is a big thing for me.”
Head coach Rob Baxter added: “We see him as a big, ball-carrying lock. Guys who can play other positions are always good, but that’s where we see him playing.
“He’s not been in a professional environment very long so we think he’s a guy with a good deal of improvement in him. I consider him one of the best ball-carrying back-five forwards in the Championship, both in terms of his numbers and the quality of his carries. He gets used a lot as the No.1 hit-up man by London Welsh off line-outs and midfield.