'14th season confirmed' – Exeter Chiefs legend signs contract extension
Today at 11:06 AM
Exeter Chiefs hooker and club captain Jack Yeandle has signed a new contract to stay with the club.
Signing on the heels of a try-scoring performance against Bath Rugby at Sandy Park last weekend, the squad leader has shown no signs of slowing down since making his 300th club appearance this season.
"I'm really looking forward to continuing as a Chief," Yeandle said. "This is a special place to me. It's a club I watched for years, enjoyed back at the County Ground as a youngster. I've seen some pretty amazing games here at Sandy Park and got to play in some too.
"I have countless favourite moments from my time as a Chief. The amazing highs of winning finals, then the old cliché of the jokes that go on in the changing room or silly moments in the gym – it's all of it.
"It's also about seeing boys you train with go on to achieve amazing things – boys getting picked for their countries or going on British and Irish Lions tours. To watch them progress in their careers as well is an honour. It's an amazing job, and I still pinch myself that I get to continue to do it."
Having graduated from Cardiff Met University, in 2011 Yeandle took the chance of signing with Championship side Doncaster Knights in the hope that consistent game-time would help him to catch the eye of Chiefs selectors.
The gamble to move away from home paid off for the then 22-year-old as in June 2012 he was handed his first Exeter Chiefs contract, making his debut in an LV Cup clash against London Welsh that November.
In the years since, 35-year-old Yeandle has went on to haul in more than 300 club appearances, scoring 34 tries. The hooker position has often been a hive of competition amongst the Chiefs squad, but the local lad has remained a consistent performer and leader in the pack, both on and off the field.
In 2015, he took on the mantle of club captain from Dean Mumm when the Australian departed Devon.
Yeandle has played in every Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup final the club has competed in. In 2017, he hoisted the first domestic trophy alongside Gareth Steenson before in 2020 he had the honour of lifting both the league and European trophy with Joe Simmonds.
Director of Rugby Rob Baxter reiterated the importance of retaining the experience and character of the hooker.
"Jack is one of the players that's been here, seen it, done it with Exeter Chiefs," Baxter said.
"Without doubt, he's one of the leaders who has really driven the culture here, and what we expect from players. The one thing he will do, and always has done, is turn up in pre-season training with the highest standards, the best fitness levels and works the hardest out of every other player. He still maintains that.
"He's a great trainer, playing very well currently and someone who is a very good influence on both young and experienced players.
"The thing that's exciting about keeping Jack here is that it gives us a really strong hooker group next season. He'll be joined by new signings Joseph Dweba and Julian Heaven as players who have played at high levels already. Then you add into that the guys who have come through our pathway like Max Norey and Louie Gulley.
"We really want to create a squad that's got strength in depth across all the competitions we are involved in. This signing really helps us create that kind of squad."
This new contract will see Yeandle play in his 14th season as an Exeter Chief.
EDITORS PICKS:
- Host city for 2027 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals CONFIRMED
- Another England star wants to swap nations following Steve Borthwick snub
- Andy Farrell Breaks Silence on Possibly Becoming England Boss
- "World class player" – Wallabies centre confirms move to the Premiership
- Statement: England international to depart Leicester Tigers
The post ’14th season confirmed’ – Exeter Chiefs legend signs contract extension appeared first on Ruck.
