Duo commit to the Chiefs

 

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has spoken of his delight after another two of his current squad committed their futures to the Aviva Premiership club.

Experienced flanker James Scaysbrook, who joined the Chiefs in 2009 from Bath, has agreed a new two-year deal, whilst hooker Jack Yeandle has penned a new one-year contract after impressing following his switch last summer from Doncaster Knights.

This latest news offers another timely boost to Baxter, who in recent weeks has also secured the futures of club-mates Luke Arscott, Will Chudley, Ben Moon, Jack Nowell, James Phillips, Henry Slade, Gareth Steenson, Brett Sturgess and Ben White.

Scaysbrook has been a revelation since arriving at Sandy Park, cementing himself as a key figure within the Chiefs squad. A destructive force on the open-side flank, the 31-year-old has to date made 97 appearances for the club, scoring six tries in the process.

Last season’s his on-field efforts were acknowledged by those around in the Aviva Premiership as not only did he make it into the end-of-season ‘Dream Team’, but was also a nominee for the competition’s Player of the Year title.

Remaking on the new deal for Scaysbrook, Baxter said: “He’s shown over the last couple of seasons he’s one of the top performing sevens in the Premiership. His stats show that, particularly in the tackle and clear-out areas.

“He’s a good communicator and a good link player. In a team that wants to play a fair bit of rugby, I think he makes more passes than any other seven in the Premiership and he’s shown to be a good character.

“It’s good continuity for ourselves and with him being signed alongside Ben White we’ve got some really good competition. With Joel Conlon starting to come through we’ve got some nice players in that position.”

Meanwhile, 23-year-old Yeandle, who has featured eight times for the Chiefs this season, is slowly coming of age within the Chiefs set-up having been forced to bide his time earlier in the season for his opportunity.

Returning to his Devon roots last summer, Yeandle – who is also dual-registered with Championship side Cornish Pirates – has sampled first-team life in recent weeks, featuring in the Premiership, Heineken Cup and LV= Cup following injuries to Chris Whitehead and Simon Alcott.

And his on-field efforts have not gone unnoticed by Baxter, who added: “Jack was offered an opportunity contract. He had an opportunity to come and train in the Premiership along with being dual registered with another club to make sure he had plenty of rugby.

“He’s had to bide his time a little bit. He’s been 24th man and travelled with us with no involvement with the first team quite a few times.

“He’s taken his opportunities in the LV in a very strong group of hookers we’ve got here at the club. He impressed in the Northampton game when he played the full 80 minutes and I thought he had a very good game with his carrying and tackling and the set-piece held up very well.

“I’m really pleased with how he’s done. This is his local Premiership side, it adds to the package and makes it a little more personal for him and that’s important for me.
“Jack’s very aware he still has things to add to his game but all the staff here really like working with him, they think he trains hard and he’s been a good guy around the place.

“It’s nice to offer him another year and the reason for that is that Jack wants to see how his development goes over another year, as we do as well.

“Hopefully the next contract he signs will be on the back of having a really good year next year and it’ll be a longer-term deal for him.”