Baxter outlines Exeter's transfer plans with England stars yet to sign

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter admits he is prioritising quality over quantity as he steps up his recruitment and follows the blueprint that made the club European champions just five years ago.

Baxter says he is working hard to agree new contracts with players like Henry Slade, who is out of contract at the end of the season, whilst also looking to bring in players who will strengthen his squad.

But he is only looking to sign players in two or three positions, keeping faith with the vast majority of the squad who have helped them race into second place in the Gallagher PREM table.

Baxter expects to see real movement from the club early in the New Year, and he will have a better idea of how his squad is shaping up for next season while they battle for honours on three fronts.

“I’m doing a fair bit of retention at the minute, which is important, especially around our front-line English players. So I’m aiming to get that done.

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“At the same time, keeping an eye on the two or three slots where we can bring in players. It’s an ongoing process, and we don’t have any names to bring you as such, but we’ll be getting there shortly.

“I think in the New Year, we will know a lot about how the squad is settling down. The process has been ongoing for a little while now, and you will have seen players re-signing at a club or some players moving.

“We’ve been actively involved in the market for a period now already. Some of retaining our own players, approaching other players and putting offers on the table.

“But it’s nothing new around this time of year, but as far as the team being settled for next season, we are a little way off that yet, and I am keen to keep an amount of continuity, but I’m also keen to add to the squad.

“You have seen the players who have been here for a couple of seasons doing very well, but without a doubt, the likes of Steve Varney, Tom Hooper, Len Ikitau and Joseph Dweba have added to the quality of the squad.

“We don’t want to have a high turnover of players. We want to keep a relatively balanced team and add to it a little bit season by season, as we have in the past,” said Baxter.