Exeter Have signed Damian Welch as they prepare themselves for the upcoming season. The twenty nine year old forward is the team’s seventh new recruit and has signed a lucrative two year deal. The six feet and six inches tall forward has previously played for clubs like Cardiff RFC, Pontypridd and Cardiff Blues.
Rob Baxter, Exeter Chiefs head coach, admitted that he was very delighted to have signed Damian and said that his plans for the upcoming season are coming together with his arrival. He said that with the departure of Bentos, Chad and Peter Short, he knew that he will have to sign new players and Damian was one of his first choices.
He admitted that they had been looking at him for quite sometime and spoke to him a good three times before he could convince him.
He said that he first noticed Damian before he started playing professional rugby and thought that he wouldn’t fit at Exeter Chiefs. After he started playing for Cardiff Blues he spoke to him again but the deal did not materialize. He kept an eye on him and then when he found out that Scarlets were ready to release him, he did not waste anytime and made the deal. After Damian came down for a few fitness tests, the deal was made and now Damian will be starting in the Chiefs colours in the coming season.
On the other hand Iganacio Mieres, Exeter’s fly half, said that it is up to the players of the club to keep the momentum gained by the team and keep up the performance. The team had finished fifth and had also made it to the Heineken Cup last year with the Argentine playing a pivotal role. He believes that the team can keep up the progress made by the team.