Skinner locks in as Chiefs’ number 10 with new contract

Exeter Chiefs fly-half Harvey Skinner has committed his future to wearing the number 10 as he signs a new two-year contract with the club.

The Chiefs centurion has been enjoying a stellar campaign since establishing a new half-back partnership with Italian international scrum-half Stephen Varney. The pair have helped to shepherd Chiefs to an EPCR Challenge Cup quarter-final this weekend.

Skinner said: “I’m really happy to sign a new deal with the club, as I truly love playing here. I’m enjoying the connection we have among the group and the style of rugby we’re playing. The atmosphere the fans have created this year has made it truly enjoyable to be a part of every gameday at Sandy Park.

“I’ve grown up here and have now started a family of my own, so it felt like an easy decision to stay. As a team, we’ve had some challenges, but we’ve also enjoyed some great moments and I feel like this squad is on a good track to really achieve something special together.”

Born in Taunton, Skinner is a true product of the Chiefs’ player pathway having graduated through the Academy at Bicton College. A key playmaker for Chiefs’ U18s and A league teams, he earned his move into the senior squad ranks during the 2015/16 season.

This year marks a decade since Skinner’s Chiefs debut against Cardiff Blues in an Anglo-Welsh Cup match at Sandy Park in November 2016. The young fly-half had to bide his time behind Gareth Steenson and Joe Simmonds before being given the reigns to the number 10 shirt ahead of the 2023/24 season following Steenson’s retirement and Simmonds’ departure to France.

In more recent seasons, Skinner has played a large role in some of Chiefs’ most successful days. A part of the squad that enjoyed a winning Prem Rugby Cup campaign in 2022, Skinner was also a starter in Chiefs’ unexpected European run in 2023/24 which saw them reach an Investec Champions Cup quarter-final against Stade Toulousain.

This season has been a particularly noteworthy one for the homegrown talent. Leading the Gallagher PREM for interceptions and providing a total of eight try assists, he has discovered prime form in a strong campaign for Chiefs.

Now, at 28 years old, Skinner has made 139 appearances and scored 188 points for the club, truly being given the reins to the Chiefs squad on-field.

Director of rugby Rob Baxter said: “Harvey is a young man who came through our academy and has had to work extremely hard over a number of years to become what you would call our first-choice, starting fly-half.

“He’s had some challenges, some tough times, but has learned a lot through a couple of seasons when the team changed significantly. He had to take over a role from a couple of established guys who had played a lot of rugby and won trophies, but I think what you’ve seen is that he’s maturing all the time.

“He’s learning every day on the job. He’s very driven to achieve on a personal level but he also helps to drive the team in the things we want to do.

“I think his relationship with Dave Walder is growing stronger all the time and I think that’s really helping our attacking side of the game to thrive. For a fly-half, he’s got fantastic commitment towards defending – he loves to fly off the line and try to bang people! That’s a great asset for us to have in our 10.

“We’re delighted to have him staying with us because he’s someone who we still see improving as a player. He’s going to be very important to us going forward.”