Exeter Chiefs on Jack Yeandle's future at the PREM club

Exeter Chiefs have announced that hooker Jack Yeandle will be lacing up his boots for a 15th season after the club captain signed a one-year extension to spend another season at the club.

Yeandle, who will be 37 in December, has been ruled out for the rest of this season after a foot operation and is one of the Chiefs’ standout players of the professional era, lifting two Gallagher PREM trophies and a Champions Cup.

He has made more than 325 appearances for the club and signed his first contract in June 2012. He made his debut against London Welsh in an LV= Cup match in November 2012 and was handed the captaincy from Dean Mumm three years later.

“I can’t wait to get stuck into another season. Everyone knows how much this club means to me, and the chance to continue making new memories at Sandy Park is one I’m really thankful for.

“Leading this team, lifting trophies and making friendships for life has meant so much to me. I still feel like one of the young ones in the changing room, even if the boys like to remind me otherwise!

“It’s because of that, though, that I still feel like I have a lot left to give to the squad, on and off the pitch. It’s an honour to be continuing on the journey this team is on, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve,” said Crediton-born Yeandle.

Chiefs boss Rob Baxter admits that he is delighted to have his changing-room leader, who played 20 games this season before injury struck, sign up for another season.

“It’s great to have the old warrior with us going forward! He’s been having another fantastic season for us. The really pleasing thing, along with how well he’s been playing on the field, is how much leadership he brings to the group.

“It was a very easy decision to keep him as he truly understands what we’re about. He’s sorely missed right now through injury, but if there’s one thing I know about Jack, it’s that he’ll turn up on day one of pre-season probably as the fittest player in the squad and prepared to work the hardest.

“While this injury is frustrating, it may actually extend his playing career because he can really focus on other elements of his physical conditioning. So, we’re really looking forward to working with him for another year,” said Baxter.