TOMAS FRANCIS intends savouring every remaining minute he has as an Exeter player before his summer move to the Ospreys.
The Wales prop arrived at Sandy Park seven years ago as an unknown from the Championship and leaves with 57 caps and Premiership and Champions Cup winners medals.
“It is a wrench to be leaving because I have had an amazing time at this club,” said the 29-year old, who was spotted by Exeter boss Rob Baxter playing for London Scottish against London Welsh when he scrummaged against a front rower who has long been a teammate, Alec Hepburn.
“I will be making the most of the time I have left at this great club and it would be a dream to go out with back-to-back Premiership titles.”
Francis is not leaving the Chiefs by choice. Under a rule agreed between the Welsh Rugby Union and its four regions, a player who is based outside the country may only be considered for the national side if he has won 60 caps. Francis is three short.
“When I had to make the decision, I needed to play in 13 out of 14 Tests to make 60 and that was too tight,” he said. “I was not willing to risk it because the pinnacle of your career is international rugby.
“I had to think about it because Wales had a new coaching group and they might not have seen me in their plans. I am not sure what I would have done had I reached the threshold, but my fiancée is from Cardiff and I see similarities between the Ospreys and Exeter.
“What makes it slightly easier is that we won the Premiership and Champions Cup double last season so there will be no sense of unfinished business, but that said I was emotional after our quarter-final defeat to Leinster last month. When we were 14-0 up I thought we had a really good chance.
“Now it is all about the Premiership and making sure we secure a place in the play-offs again.”
Francis points out that while he is 29 and approaching the peak for a prop, he has been a professional for only seven years, one of several Championship players whose potential was spotted by director of rugby Baxter and then nurtured.
He has established himself as Wales' leading tighthead and was pushing hard for a place in the Lions squad.
“I am someone who lives for the here and now,” he said. “I am not thinking as far ahead as the summer but just the next few weeks and making sure that Exeter retain the Premiership title. I owe Rob a lot, first for recruiting me and then helping me become an international, and the same goes for the Championship which I hope gets more attention and investment. You learn through playing and that is what you get there.”
Francis spoke to Cardiff Blues and the Dragons before deciding to join the Ospreys. “I met Toby Booth (director of rugby) and Duncan Jones (first team coach). They laid into me a bit, pointing out where they felt they could help me improve and I liked that. I know I can get better and I saw similarities with Exeter where we work exceptionally hard but also know how to relax and enjoy each other's company.
“That's what I will miss most, the camaraderie of the changing room and being part of a tight-knit group. I came here when I was 22 and it has been an awesome experience. Rob calls us his weirdos and it is the culture at Exeter that drives you on. It is a privilege to have been part of this club at such a momentous time in its history.”
Francis is looking to secure a second title this year having been part of Wales' Six Nations-winning side a few months after they had finished fifth in the 2020 championship and been among the also-rans in the Autumn Nations Cup as the pressure on Wayne Pivac, Warren Gatland's successor as head coach, mounted.
“We knew the Six Nations would be different,” said Francis. “The Wales-based players lacked game time in the autumn when the emphasis was on laying a foundation. It was also tough playing at an empty Parc y Scarlets and Wayne had an almost impossible job, like David Moyes following Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but he took the heat and kept his sense of perspective. The future looks good.
“As it does for Exeter. At least I will have the chance to say a personal goodbye to all those at the club who have helped me achieve so much, unlike last year when those leaving had to say their farewells on Zoom. I want to go out on a high and will be going flat out to ensure that I do.”
■By PAUL REES
