Exeter Chiefs flanker Tom Johnson ruled out

Rob Baxter hopes Exeter Chiefs flanker Tom Johnson can return invigorated after confirming he needs a neck operation.

And the Sandy Park head coach believes the 32-year-old can still play his way into Stuart Lancaster’s plans for next year’s World Cup.

Johnson has not played since England’s tour to New Zealand in June because of a neck issue, with Exeter’s medical team hoping a period of rehabilitation would cure it.

But a trip to see a specialist last week has led to him being booked in for surgery on Tuesday, with Johnson expected to be out of action for around 10-12 weeks afterwards.

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