“It would be a terribly difficult decision, one I do not want to have to make,’’ he said. “I want to keep playing for Wales. I also want to keep playing for Exeter.’’
A serious shoulder injury during Wales’ World Cup semi-final against South Africa and the likely cancellation of the three-test summer series in New Zealand has exposed Francis to falling foul of the controversial 60-cap rule.
The 27-year-old tighthead is marooned 12 short of the number which would allow him to continue playing for an English club without affecting his Welsh status.
Francis’ Exeter contract expires at the end of next season. As the rule stands, he would have to accept an offer from a Welsh region aware that staying with the Chiefs would put him out of bounds to Wales.
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