Jess was prolific in National One last year (Alex Folkes/Fishnik.com)

Exeter Chiefs have confirmed they are signing Launceston winger Matt Jess, along with Plymouth Albion scrum-half Ed Lewsey and Gloucester's Dan Tuohy.

Jess was the top scorer in National One last season with 17 tries while Lewsey, the younger brother of England star Josh, is returning to Exeter.

He played 82 games for the Chiefs between 2002 and 2005 before leaving.

Tuohy is a former Ireland under-21 second row and featured twice in the Premiership for Gloucester last season.

Chiefs director of rugby Pete Drewett paid tribute to Jess, who had to pull out of the England Counties team that is about to tour the North America in order to begin pre-season training.

2008-09 EXETER CHIEFS SIGNINGS Matt Jess (Launceston) Ed Lewsey (Plymouth Albion) Ed Tuohy (Gloucester) Gareth Steenson (Cornish Pirates) Chris Cracknell (Cornish Pirates) Richie Pugh (Ospreys) Chris Budgen (Northampton) Nic Sesteret (Plymouth Albion) Tom Hayes (Plymouth Albion) Simon Alcott (Worthing) Bryan Rennie (London Irish) Neil Clark (Launceston) Richard Bolt (was on loan at Cornish Pirates)

"There is no doubt that he had an outstanding season last year and we are looking forward to working with him."

"Ed Lewsey is somebody I have been looking at for the last two years and I am delighted he has decided to return to the club.

"It will make the number nine berth very competitive," Drewett said.

Drewett is also happy at the signing of Tuohy to bolster his front-five ranks.

"With James Hanks out injured, it was important for us to get a quality second row in to compete for a first-team place.

"He is an athletic forward who is able to run a line-out and should do well at Exeter," he said.

Drewett has brought in 12 new men and one player back from loan to bolster his squad since they finished second to Northampton in National League One last season.

Six are from the South West's other top clubs Plymouth Albion, Launceston and Cornish Pirates.