Exeter promote record 14 from the academy

ROB Baxter is set to welcome his biggest intake of academy youngsters into his Exeter Chiefs squad for the 2018/19 season.

A great advocate over the years of bringing through youthful, homegrown talent at Sandy Park, the Chiefs director of rugby is reaping the rewards of the outstanding work being carried out by the club’s academy programme.

Richard Capstick, Flynn Elworthy, Barrie Karea, James Kenny, Sam Maunder, James McRae, Sam Morley, Max Norey, Joe Parker-Cook, Alfie Petch, Joe Snow, Danny Southworth, Cory Teague and Rus Tuima have all agreed contracts with the reigning Premiership champions.

It’s yet another glowing endorsement for the time and effort being carried out by the Chiefs academy, which is headed up by Robin Cowling and Rob Gibson.

“This will be our biggestever intake of academy players into the senior squad,” explained Gibson. “Over the years we have been fortunate enough to bring through a number of players, many of whom have not only gone on to play regularly for the Chiefs in the Premiership and in Europe, but also at a higher level internationally.

“We have had a great buy-in from Rob and chief executive Tony Rowe, both of whom can see the work we are doing within the academy and the calibre of players we are now able to put up for recruitment into the first team.

“The players themselves must also take a great deal of credit for their commitment and drive to put themselves in the best position possible to achieve their aims of being a professional player for Chiefs.”

The fruits of previous years were on display last week with 11 of the matchday squad against Gloucester having come through the academy.

“I cannot speak highly enough about the work that is being carried out within our academy system,” said Baxter.

“We have been very fortunate to unearth some fantastic local talent – many of whom have been able to not only establish themselves as key members of the first-team squad, but also go on to even bigger things within the game.”