'Exciting future' lies ahead

By Mark Stevens

Will Chudley believes an “exciting future” lies ahead for him at Sandy Park after he today agreed terms on a new deal with the Exeter Chiefs.

The 26-year-old scrum-half has extended his stay with the Chiefs for a further three years and is the latest Exeter player to commit his long-term future to the Devon club.

Chudley, along with team-mates Phil Dollman, Gareth Steenson, Don Armand and Matt Jess, have in recent days all put pen to paper on new contracts.

Signed in the summer of 2012 from league rivals Newcastle Falcons, Chudley has settled well to life in the Westcountry, establishing himself as key figure in Rob Baxter’s squad.

With 39 league and cup games already accrued in Exeter colours, the Kettering-born back admits he didn’t have to think twice when offered the chance to prolong his stay with the Chiefs.

“With the way things are going, both on and off the field here, it was an easy decision to make,” said Chudley. “Obviously it’s nice to know what I am doing for the next few years and that I have a contract, but I’m really enjoying it here, the team are going great, and long may that continue.

“Each year we are looking to build on the previous year and we’ve got a lot of young lads within the squad, so it’s an exciting team to be involved in.”

Since joining from the Falcons, Chudley has not only figured heavily in the Aviva Premiership, but he has featured in both the Heineken and European Challenge Cups, as well as helping the Chiefs to lift the LV= Cup last season for the first time.

That success against Northampton Saints back in March ensured a first piece of major silverware for the Chiefs and Chudley hopes it is the start of more success in the future for the club.

“For us it was good to know we could go all the way in a competition and beat the big teams,” explained Chudley. “Hopefully it can act as a building block for us, but at the same time it was great to win something. There are some players who go through their careers without winning anything, but for us it’s probably made us more hungry for success.”

But as Chudley is well aware, he and his team-mates can ill afford to rest on their laurels and it’s the same hard work that brought them success last term that needs to be repeated moving forward.

“I think that’s one of our key strengths,” explained Chudley. “Everyone at the club works incredibly hard and that’s why we are achieving the results we are. In every position, including the nines, it’s very competitive and everyone just brings the best out in one another.

“Also, the coaches do a brilliant job. Ever since I arrived they’ve helped me so much and really added to my game. The detail they go into to make you a better player is unbelievable and nothing is left to chance in terms of our preparation.

“As I said, it’s a great club to be at and one that is definitely moving in the right direction.”