Ben Moon and James Phillips sign new Chiefs deals

Exeter Chiefs forwards Ben Moon and James Phillips have extended their contracts at Sandy Park. Moon, 23, has signed a new two-year deal, while 26-year-old Phillips has accepted a one-year offer.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter believes there is "more to come" from Ben Moon after the loosehead prop today agreed a new two-year contract with the Aviva Premiership club.

Since making his debut for the Chiefs in 2008 at home to Sedgley Park, the 23-year-old forward has continually been developing his game under the guidance of Baxter and the Exeter coaching staff. And it has been a steady progession for Moon, who to date has amassed 81 appearances in total for the Devon club.

In recent times, though, he has shown significant improvement, featuring regularly in the Aviva Premiership, as well experiencing European rugby in both the Heineken and Amlin Challenge Cup competitions. "He’s learning right in the heat of the battle, and playing sides like Clermont Auvergne and Leinster is fantastic for a young prop," said Baxter.

Working closely with the former Cullompton youngster, Baxter says it's great to have the former England Under-20 international on the books at Sandy Park for another couple of years. Baxter added: “We like having Moony around, he’s a good member of the squad, a good trainer, a professional guy and we can see improvement in him that will keep coming in the future.

“It’s one of the easy ones for us. He’s a local guy and this is the club he should be playing professional rugby for. We want to help him become the best player he can be over a period of time and I’m sure Ben feels the same.”

Indeed, Moon is himself delighted to have agreed new terms with the Chiefs. “I’m really happy to have signed on for another two years, the Chiefs are a great club and being part of what they have achieved over the last few years has been very special," said Moon.

"We’ve been through a lot over the years and hopefully we can achieve even more together over the next few years. I’ve always said I enjoy life here at the Chiefs, so as soon as Rob offered me the chance of another two years I was more than happy to sign on again."

Alongside fellow forward Ben Moon, 26-year-old forward James Phillips has today committed his future to the Devon club by agreeing a new one-year contract at Sandy Park. Phillips says he wants to repay the faith Rob Baxter has shown in him by getting back to full fitness and becoming a key weapon in the Exeter Chiefs pack. 

Sidelined currently with a knee injury sustained in the home win over Saracens back in September, the Bristol-born No.8 is deep into his rehab programme and setting his sights on a return to action before the end of the current campaign.

However, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season, Phillips says agreeing a new deal with the Chiefs is a welcome relief as he looks to get himself back amongst the action.

“It’s a massive relief because you are never always sure where you’re next contract is coming from," said Phillips, who joined in the summer of 2010 from his hometown club.

"It’s been another tough year for me – what with the injury – but I’m working hard to get back fit and once I’ve done that I want to repay the faith Rob has shown in me.

“To be at the Chiefs for another year is great news because it’s such a brilliant place to come and work. As a team we’ve come a long way in a short space of time, but the club is definitely moving in the right direction and I want to be part of that.

“I really enjoy being at the club and working with the boys and all the staff. My aim at the moment, though, is to get fit and hopefully I can get back before the end of the season. After that I just want to try and get myself established within the team again."

Having worked incredibly hard last summer to get himself in tip-top condition for a big season ahead, Phillips was dealt an untimely blow when he was forced from the field against Saracens.

“The injury was gutting, I couldn’t believe it," he added. "I felt I was going well at the time, but then all of a sudden it all came to a bit of a halt [against Saracens]. As I said, I was gutted, especially as we were in the Heineken Cup and that would have been a good experience for me."

Head coach Baxter has spoken of his happiness at having the player on board for another year: “He’s been a popular member of the squad for quite a long time now and I think it’s important we keep that going and make sure he gets looked after.

"He’s a big guy, a good ball carrier and, like I said, someone who can really challenge the gain line. I think we were really seeing that in his performance against Saracens when he had this injury.

“At the same time, he can also cover second row well, but we’re still pretty sure the best of him is still to come and that’s pretty important. There’s still a lot of improvement. The lad suffered quite a serious injury while playing for Exeter and we feel it’s down to us to bring him through that injury and give him an opportunity to play again.

“Hopefully he’ll come back fitter and stronger, as a lot of guys to from these types of injuries, and be playing that abrasive game again soon.”

Photos courtesy of Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency