"Captain commits" - 12 players commit to Exeter Chiefs in statement
Rugby NewsThursday, 27 April 2023 at 07:34
Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, has spoken of his delight after a number of his current first-team squad put pen to paper on new deals with the club.
With a plethora of long-serving stars set to head for pastures new at the end of the season, the news that others within the Sandy Park ranks are staying put is welcome news to Baxter and his team of coaches moving into the 2023/24 campaign.
Club captain Jack Yeandle heads up a stellar list of names, which also includes Jack Innard, Billy Keast, Sam Maunder, Stu Townsend and Olly Woodburn.
Will Becconsall, Tom Cairns, James Kenny, Max Norey, Danny Southworth and Tom Wyatt have also all put pen to paper on deals that will see them at Sandy Park for next season and beyond.
“Obviously, we’re delighted that this group of players are staying with us moving forward,” said Baxter. “When I go through that list of players, they’ve all played their part in some shape or other in helping to develop us a club.
“Jack Yeandle has captained the side for a number of years now and he’s that ‘Steady Eddie’ that kind of glues the team together. At the same time, he is still performing exceptionally well and he’s always driving the standards of those around him.
“Woody is another who has been here a while now, but the way he has been performing this season has been outstanding. He’s probably in his best form, both physically and on the field, that he’s ever been in. Equally, he’s probably been out player of the season in a lot of ways.
“Stu has had time out with unfortunate injuries, but again I believe there is still so much more in him, the same with Billy Keast, another whose been in and out with injuries, but who we believe can only get better and better with time.
“When you look at Jack Innard, he’s someone who has really started to come of age this past year or so. His leadership with the Premiership Rugby Cup side, coupled with some of his performances in both the Premiership and Europe, he’s offers a great deal to us and is another who can really kick his game on.
“As for Sam Maunder, this past 18 months he’s really started to break through, but then he suffered that really unfortunate injury up at Bath a few weeks’ ago. He’s another, though, who we see as having real potential and real growth within his game.
“Having this core group of players, along with others who have also re-signed and those who are already contracted with us, will only enhance moving forward and I’m already very excited about next season and the future.”
BREAKING: Exeter Chiefs confirm THREE new signings
Exeter fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief as the club announces the signing of three new players today with more set to follow..
This news comes as a welcome distraction from the weeks of headlines about their star players leaving for foreign clubs. Departures from the team at the end of the season include Sam Simmonds, Joe Simmonds, Harry Williams, Jannes Kirsten, and Dave Ewers, with Jack Nowell expected to join them.
Check out their new signings below:
#1. Will Haydon-Wood
Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.
The 22-year-old playmaker is no strange to English rugby’s top-flight and his addition is another boost for the Chiefs, who have already confirmed the arrivals of Joe Hawkins and Ethan Roots from the Ospreys.
“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the former England Under-20s international. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.
“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.”
Having started this season at Wasps following a number of years at the Falcons, Haydon-Wood was forced to look for new employment last October when the Midlands club were forced to withdraw from all competitions following the collapse of the former English and European champions.
#2. Ethan Root
The 25-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest addition to his squad for the 2023/24 season and will join from United Rugby Championship outfit, Ospreys Rugby, this summer.
The all-action, back-rower joined the Welsh region in March 2021 from the Crusaders and has since gone on to establish himself as a physical on-field force.
The arrival of Roots will come some way to helping fill the void left by the departing Dave Ewers and Sam Simmonds, two men the newcomer admitted he has high praise for.
“Everyone knows there are some big names leaving the club, but for me that is part of the challenge, I want to try and help fill those big shoes,” said Roots.
“It’s an exciting move for me and my family and I’m looking forward to having a crack at the Premiership for the first time. Chatting with Rob, he outlined the vision for the future of the club and how he wants us as players to lay the foundations for the years to come.
“As I said, I like a challenge and I like the thought of us being underdogs with a real point to prove. Exeter are an established club, one with great history and tradition, and for me it’s a great move for me at this time in my career.”
#3. Joe Hawkins
he highly-rated Welsh international is Rob Baxter’s first major signing ahead of the 2023/24 season and arrives in Devon on a long-term deal.
His signing, however, is somewhat of a coup for the Chiefs and Baxter, who is quietly assembling a gifted and talented young squad to take the club forward for years to come.
“I’m really excited about the move,” said Hawkins. “It’s a new challenge for me and something a bit different, especially moving away from my home region, who I will always be thankful to for giving me the playing opportunities that I've had up until now. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.”
Indeed, the 20-year-old back already has a glut of familiar faces to welcome him to the club, having played previously with the likes of Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John and Christ Tshiunza at age group levels.
“I know a few of the boys already, which will definitely help the settling in process,” added Hawkins. “I’ve spoken to a few of them and they’ve told me plenty of good things about the club and the culture that exists down there.
“Also, chatting with Rob and Ali [Hepher], I liked what they had to say about how they want to play and how they want to create a new team capable of challenging at the very top. That really appealed to me, I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to be there at the start of this journey.
“Over the years the Chiefs have been known for bringing through youngsters and giving them their chance on the biggest stages. I want to be part of that and I want to try and take the club onwards and upwards.”
TRENDING
LATEST NEWS
LATEST COMMENTS
Loading
