Cornish Pirates

Exeter Chiefs

Hanks up for his century
Issued on behalf of Exeter Chiefs

Lock James Hanks will play in his 100th league this weekend as Exeter Chiefs take on Doncaster Knights in the third game of the Championship play-offs.

The 25-year-old made his debut for Exeter in September 2005 and will see his name added to the board of centurions that has been put up outside the players' changing rooms.

Hanks said today: "It will be something great to look back on in terms of an achievement. I am just really lucky to be involved in a club that's going places, but right now I am trying to focus on the next few weeks. The perfect 100th game would be a win away from home."

Chiefs head to Castle Park on Saturday at the top of Pool B after a stuttering start that saw them lose to Nottingham. Just one point divides the teams in the top and bottom halves of Pool B, while Pool A has also opened up with Bristol's loss to Bedford Blues last weekend.

"We did not take anything for granted last weekend. When we had chances, we took them; we made our possession count. We were desperate not to give London Welsh anything and it was very satisfying not to concede any tries. The bonus point was the icing on the cake.

Hanks added: "The closeness of the pools goes to show that any points you can get away from home, whether from victories or bonus points, are vital to where you may finish in the group. You have got to realise that everything counts and you can say that about all three pools."

Baxter announced an extended squad today and will announce his first XV and bench on Friday to give players some time to recover fully from last weekend's exertions.

Doncaster v Exeter Chiefs
Saturday, April 3, 2010 - KO 3pm
Castle Park

Forwards:
Simon Alcott, Richie Baxter, Chris Budgen, Neil Clark, David Gannon, James Hanks, Tom Hayes, Tom Johnson, Ruaidhrí Murphy, James Scaysbrook, Chad Slade, Brett Sturgess & Hoani Tui

Backs:
Richard Bolt, Matt Cornwell, Phil Dollman, Mark Foster, Danny Gray, Matt Jess, Steve Jones, Drew Lock, Bryan Rennie, Nic Sestaret, Gareth Steenson, Clive Stuart-Smith & Haydn Thomas