Rob Baxter: Retention is almost done

ROB Baxter says most of his retention is done after tying down two more Exeter Chiefs players on new deals.

Flanker James Scaysbrook has signed a two-year extension while hooker Jack Yeandle has penned a new one-year contract.

Baxter has so far agreed fresh terms with 19 members of his squad, but that leaves another 14 whose deals expire at the end of this campaign.

The head coach is happy with the make-up of his squad for next season, with 31 players signed up until at least summer 2014, including new signings Dave Lewis and Tom James.

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"A large part of our recruitment and retention is done now," Baxter told Echo Sport.

"We've been keen to secure a group of players that we think we can keep working with and will keep moving us forward.

"That highlights why we're disappointed with the Sale fixture because we are keen to move forward, we want to look up the Premiership not down, and these are the kind of players we think can do that with us."

Yeandle came through the youth system at Crediton before earning a deal with Exeter following impressive spells with UWIC and Doncaster.

While the 23-year-old has only been handed a one-year deal, Baxter hopes he will earn a long-term contract in the next year.

"Jack was offered an opportunity contract. He had an opportunity to come and train in the Premiership along with being dual registered with another club to make sure he had plenty of rugby," he said.

"He's taken his opportunities in the LV in a very strong group of hookers we've got here at the club.

"I'm really pleased with how he's done. This is his local Premiership side, it adds to the package and makes it a little more personal for him and that's important for me.

"Hopefully the next contract he signs will be on the back of having a really good year next year and it'll be a longer-term deal for him."

Scaysbrook has made 97 appearances for the Chiefs since signing from Bath in 2009 and has only missed two of the Chiefs' games in the Aviva Premiership.

Baxter said: "He's shown over the last couple of seasons he's one of the top performing sevens in the Premiership."