Baxter has high hopes for Francis
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he is looking to unleash the “huge potential” on offer in new signing Tomas Francis.
The 21-year-old prop, who has joined from Championship side London Scottish, has today put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Aviva Premiership club and will bolster Baxter’s options in the front-row following the departures this summer of Hoani Tui (Lyon) and Craig Mitchell (Cardiff Blues).
Francis is one of two tight-heads, the other being Scottish international Moray Low, that Baxter has recruited ahead of the 2014/15 season and the Chiefs leader is confident the youngster has what it takes to survive within the top flight.
“We always keep a close eye on the Championship and one of the things we tend to keep a close eye on is front five forwards,” said Baxter. “On a pretty consistent basis, Tom has looked very good. He’s looked strong in the set-piece and more mobile than you’d imagine when you see the stats for his size.
“He’s been a pretty dominant scrummager, but he’s also short of time in the professional game. This is his first full season at a full-time club and that all makes him very interesting. He’s got huge potential. He’s 21 years old, in his first year in a professional environment, and he’s a very solid performer in the set-piece.
“He’s someone we hope will develop during his time at Exeter and I can see him coming through as a good player in the Premiership. Meeting him and seeing his desire to get on and thrive in a professional environment is quite commendable. I’m sure he’ll come in and work very hard.”
With the loss of both Tui and Mitchell, both proven operators at the top end of the game, Baxter knows that Francis will need to learn quick if he is to make his mark at Sandy Park.
“We’re losing two experienced tight-heads, with only one with experience coming in, so we would be looking for the younger props to step up more next season,” added Baxter.
“These guys have got to get better and they’ve got to improve. “Alex Brown is improving all the time with game time and we hope Tom Francis does the same. At the same time, Lloyd [Fairbrother] is getting plenty of game time at Plymouth now and he needs to keep working hard to try to become a Premiership player.
“We’ve got some options there and we’re pretty comfortable with where we are. We’ve also got some quality performers and guys who are getting better – but we don’t think any of them are the finished article.”
Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency
