13 years on and Yeandle's fire is still burning bright

WHEN it comes to the Exeter Chiefs' success story, Jack Yeandle has never been too far away from the main headlines.

- MARK STEVENS

Born in the Devon city back in 1989, the hooker spent his formative years enjoying his rugby at nearby Crediton, after which his studies took him to University in Wales and then into the professional game for the first time with Doncaster Knights in 2011.

His on-field talents, however, had been spotted by Rob Baxter and a year later he was 'heading home' to begin life with the ever-improving Chiefs in English rugby's top flight.

With competition for the No.2 jersey a competitive affair at the time, Yeandle was loaned out to the Cornish Pirates, where he joined the likes of Dave Ewers, Sam Hill and Jack Nowell in gleaning some much-needed match minutes.

By January of the next year, though, Yeandle was summoned back to Sandy Park and thrust straight into a baptism of fire, which included coming off the bench against a star-studded Clermont-Auvergne side.

Inspired by Morgan Parra, the Frenchmen triumphed 46-3 that night - a humbling experience for your first outing in the Heineken Cup.

From that point, Yeandle has not looked back and has helped forged the cornerstone to the renowned Chiefs pack now for over 13 years. Trophies, including two Premiership titles and a Champions Cup crown, are the obvious highlights, but so too are many of the experiences and friendships he has made during that same period.