Tongan centre Suka Hufanga has decided not to join Exeter Chiefs after initially signing for the club in June.

Hufanga's contract was due to start on 1 July but, due to family reasons, he will now play for an amateur club in France next season.

Head coach Rob Baxter said: "We are disappointed that Suka has not joined us, but are prepared to release him."

"We would not want a player here that is not fully committed to the club," Baxter added.

Hufanga, 26, represented Tonga at the 2007 World Cup and signed for the Chiefs from French club Brive on 8 June.

Baxter said that despite the loss of an international standard centre at Sandy Park, the club would not be looking for a replacement.

"Our centres are all performing well and are raring to go for the new season," he said.

"I believe we have strength in depth and the range of players required in this position to not need to bring in another player at the moment."

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