Exeter Chiefs' Sam Hill and James Short extend contracts to 2020
Thursday 25 January 2018 10:11, UK
James Short and Sam Hill have signed new contracts to stay with Premiership champions Exeter Chiefs until 2020.
Short and Hill become the latest Exeter squad members to extend their stay at Sandy Park, following Greg Holmes, Mitch Lees, Gareth Stenson, Elvis Taione, Ian Whitten, Harry Williams and Jack Yeandle, who all penned new contracts with the club this month.
Short, 28, who joined from London Irish in 2015, was a member of the Exeter side which beat Saracens in last year's Premiership semi-final, but missed out on a place in the final against Wasps.
Hill, 24, recently returned after six months out of action due to a foot ligament injury.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says Hill has the potential to break into the national side.
He said: "He's a guy who has been on the fringe of England stuff in the past and he's someone who I genuinely believe could force his way back in there, purely because of his power to break the gain line when he plays.
"He's also a very good ball handler, something that he doesn't always get the credit for, and he's a very good defender."
Baxter also highlighted how Short's attitude during his three years at Sandy Park has impressed him.
He said: "Although he's played a lot of rugby - and had some outstanding games for us - there have been times where he has lost out to both Jack Nowell and Olly Woodburn when they've been fit.
"What I like about Shorty, though, is that determination to get better and better in what he does. When you have guys in your squad like that, as a coach it then makes the decision to re-sign them a very desirable one."
