Argentinian extends stay at champions

ARGENTINIAN Facundo Cordero has agreed a contract extension with reigning English and European champions Exeter Chiefs, to the delight of director of rugby Rob Baxter.

The 22-year-old joined the Chiefs in July of last year, following in the footsteps of older brother Santiago, who enjoyed two highly successful seasons at Sandy Park.

Cordero, who can play at fullback or on the wing, made his debut for the Chiefs in last season’s Gallagher Premiership game away to Saracens.

Since then, he has featured 11 times for Baxter’s side, scoring two tries. Baxter said: “He has been fantastic, hasn’t he?

“He came over on a bit of an opportunity contract for what was remaining of last season and this. Obviously, we had managed to look at a fair bit of footage of him playing over in Argentina and you could see his stepping, his ability and that he was brave defensively.

“Since he has come here, he’s certainly shown that fantastic stepping ability; he’s certainly shown he is brave defensively and he’s slowly getting fit, which is a real plus.”

A popular member of the current squad, Baxter believes Cordero’s best years are still very much ahead of him and he hopes this new deal will help bring the best out of the fleet-footed flyer.

“He has already come up with some fantastic defensive moments for us already, so I am really excited about the deal because I think he will feature strongly for us, not just for the remainder of this season, but the next couple of the seasons.”

Cordero is the latest player to commit to the Chiefs for the foreseeable future, with Baxter confident that the Devonians will continue to push forward on all fronts.