'Captaincy won't alter my game'

TOMMY Hayes says being Exeter Chiefs' on-field captain next season won't affect his game.

As reported in yesterday's Echo, the Irishman is one half of the team taking over from former skipper Rich Baxter.

Hayes will carry out the duties during matches and Alan Miller, who will be club captain, will have an off-field role.

It is not the first time Hayes has captained a side as he was skipper at Shannon for two seasons before joining Plymouth Albion in 2005.

He then led the Brickfields club for half a season before joining Exeter last summer — filling in as captain on a couple of occasions in his first season.

Hayes said he will continue to play his natural game next term regardless of being captain.

"It's something I'm used to and it won't change my game," Hayes said.

"I'll usually say something if I feel it needs to be said or do what I think needs to be done anyway.

"It's not going to change a whole lot of things about the way I play the game."

Baxter decided to stand down as skipper after three years in the role earlier this week, although he kept his reasons to himself.

The No.8 has already wished Hayes well in the job and the former Ireland under-21 player is glad to have Baxter as part of the squad next season.

"He's congratulated me and that's good to know," said Hayes of Baxter. "It's good to have him around as well. He's got so much experience and was a brilliant captain.

"I always had 100 per cent belief in what he was doing as a captain and it'll be good to know he'll be there with me."

Hayes said there was still more to the role of captain than just electing what to do when awarded penalties during matches.

"You've got to try to keep the fellas pulling in the same direction because some times you can lose your shape a bit," he said.

"There are things like that that come down to the leadership on the pitch. There's a bit more to it than pointing for the posts or the corner."