Exeter Chiefs duo Tomas Francis and Sam Hill agree extended deals

Exeter Chiefs players Tomas Francis and Sam Hill have agreed contract extensions with the club.

Welsh international Francis and centre Hill have signed new deals to keep them at Sandy Park until 2017 and 2018, respectively.

Both players were instrumental in helping the Chiefs finish fifth in the Premiership last season, their best ever top-flight finish, and Exeter chief Rob Baxter was keen to keep them at Sandy Park.

Tight-head prop Francis, a summer signing last summer from Championship side London Scottish, played 26 league and cup games in 2014/15 and was named in Premiership Rugby's Team of the Year.

The 23-year-old also earned his first Wales cap in the World Cup warm-up win over Ireland in Dublin on Saturday and he has been named in Warren Gatland's squad for this autumn's tournament.

Hill came through the Chiefs' academy system and has featured for the England Saxons.

"Tom has had one hell of a year," Baxter told the club's official website.

"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.

"We want to progress with him as well so we have moved pretty quickly to extend his contract and that is what you have to do as a club. When you bring these players on board and they do well, the sensible thing is to move on quickly and keep them part of your club.

"It was an easy decision for us. 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.

"It was easy for us and for Tom, and I am really pleased he has decided to extend his contract. Hopefully he'll be an Exeter player for many years to come."

Baxter also praised the importance of 22-year-old Hill to his team after he formed a formidable partnership alongside England star Henry Slade in the Chiefs midfield.

When you bring these players on board and they do well, the sensible thing is to move on quickly and keep them part of your club.

"Of all the players who are starting to get talked about and winning international recognition, Sam is probably the most underrated," added Baxter.

"To have him tied to the club for the next three seasons is fantastic. Those are the things you want to hear about a club developing – that your best young players are committed to the club."

Having secured new deals for Francis and Hill, Baxter has now hinted other key players could extend their commitment to the club before the new season.

"Recruitment is one of those things that is ongoing all the time, it never really stops," he said.

"We will be working on contract extensions now going forwards and start talking to some of our other players who will be out of contract in the next year or two.

"It is always nice to get players to start committing to longer-term contracts though. It makes it a lot more comfortable."