Hayes to captain Chiefs next year

Hayes used to be captain at Plymouth Albion

Number eight Tom Hayes has been unveiled as the Exeter Chiefs new team captain for the 2009/10 season.

The 29-year-old Irishman arrived at the Chiefs in April 2008 from local rivals Plymouth Albion.

Hayes, who captained Albion during his time at the club, said being asked to lead the Chiefs came as a surprise.

Hayes told BBC Radio Devon: "It was a bolt out of the blue when I was approached as I wasn't even aware Richie Baxter had stepped down."

Baxter, the former captain, relinquished his role as captain at Sandy Park on Tuesday.

Hayes labelled the key components of good captaincy as "consistency, trying not to make errors and getting on with the job and doing what needs to be done."

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said Hayes' previous leadership experience would stand him in good stead.

Baxter said: "Tommy's been one of the guys who contributed well in team meetings over the season and talking on the pitch.

"He's an intelligent guy and I've worked closely with him over various aspects of forward play.

"Tommy can tell when things are going right or wrong and can spread the message amongst the players," Baxter added.

It was a bolt out of the blue when I was approached

Tom Hayes, Exeter Chiefs captain

Hayes will not be the only captain at the Chiefs next season with Rob Baxter also announcing that flanker Alan Miller will be club captain, a role that involves liaising between players and management off the field.

Miller, 27, was chosen as club captain for possessing what Baxter described as a "great work ethic."

Baxter said: "Alan has always got on with things, trained very hard with the right attitude and is a great squad member.

"Those are the kind of ethics that we want within our squad."

Miller said he hopes to help Hayes focus on match days next season.

Miller said: "In previous years we've had one captain that does match days and all the press, so I'm here to take the pressure off Tommy and create a link between players and managers.

"At any club at any time you're going to have players who aren't happy, it's not going to be the same team every week but eventually people will get their chances," Miller added.