Thomas happy to commit to Chiefs

By Mark Stevens

Haydn Thomas says he wants to be part of an “exciting” Exeter Chiefs future after he today put pen to paper on a new deal with the Aviva Premiership club.

The experienced scrum-half, who has amassed over 170 league and cup appearances for the Chiefs, is the latest member of Rob Baxter’s first-team squad to agree terms on a new contract that will keep him at Sandy Park until at least the summer of 2015.

A key figure in Exeter’s rise of recent years, the 31-year-old says the decision to prolong his stay in the Westcountry was relatively easy, especially given the strides made by the Chiefs since their elevation into the top flight in 2010.

“I'm delighted to have re-signed, I've been at the club a long time and I really enjoy it here and want to be part of the club going forward,” said Thomas. “I feel very settled here, I enjoy the day-to-day life of the Chiefs and also the way we play. It's a good place to be, it's enjoyable, and we want to push on and hopefully achieve more as a club.”

With progression a key word both on and off the field at Sandy Park, Thomas – who first made his debut for the club away to Bedford Blues in 2003 – says the buzz around the club is equally as vibrant.

“Obviously the club have a plan for on the pitch, but off the field everyone has seen what we have planned for the stadium in terms of the redevelopment,” added Thomas. “Right now we've got very good facilities here, but that's going to get even better with a new pitch, bigger gym, bigger changing rooms and things like a team room, so it's a nice place to be and I want to be a part of it.

“I think players from outside see the Chiefs as a good club and an attractive option. You only need to look at the players we have brought in over the last few years – and the players we’ve signed already for next season – to back that up.

“At the same time, look at the guys that have come up through the ranks. Look at how well Jack Nowell has done, there is a rake of guys underneath – people like Sladey, Hilly, Dave Ewers, Dickie – they’ve all come through the system and that's exciting to see them come through. It’s a good mix we have here and I think it will only make us stronger going forward.”

As the most experienced of Exeter’s array of talented number nines, Thomas still insists there is more to come from him moving forward.

“I want to keep pushing forward and make myself a better player,” he said. “I look at other players in the Premiership, guys like Peter Stringer and Neil De Kock, they are still going strong, so for me it's just another extension. I am still very ambitious and I want to improve myself and look to be one of the better nines in the league.

“Competition for places has always been strong here at the club and it's only going to make you get better. Hopefully I can continue to improve, get even better and give more to the club which has done so much for me.

“I've had over 150 league games for the club and it's played a big part in my career. However, I still believe there is a lot more to come from the team over the next couple of years and it will be great to be part of that.”