Aviva Premiership
Exeter Chiefs duo Tomas Francis and Sam Hill pen new deals
Tristan Barclay
September 3, 2015
© Dan Mullan/Getty Images

Exeter have tied down two of their most promising youngsters to new long-term deals.

Prop Tomas Francis, who made his Wales debut in last Saturday's victory over Ireland, will remain at Sandy Park until 2017, while team-mate Sam Hill has extended his stay until 2018.

Francis enjoyed an impressive first season with the Chiefs after joining last summer from Championship side London Scottish. The tighthead's performances on the south coast were enough to earn him a spot in Wales' 31-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, which kicks off in just over a fortnight.

Hill also caught the eye last season as the Chiefs recorded their best-ever finish of fifth in the Aviva Premiership. The centre, a product of the Exeter youth academy, is also on the international radar after featuring for England Saxons.

"Tom has had one hell of a year," said Baxter. "He did very well in the Premiership for us and has been noticed by international coaches. He's taken each step as it has come and I am really pleased for him.

"Despite what some people might have thought about him playing for Wales and whether that would change what he wanted to do with us, he has been pretty determined to stay in Exeter and extend his contract with us."

Of Hill, he added: "I hope Hilly is one of those guys that spend his whole career in Exeter and along the way will get international recognition. He has certainly developed physically in the last couple of years and he's been a great professional since he's been here and he has reaped the rewards and we have too."

© Tristan Barclay

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