Wednesday 24 September 2014 11:37, UK
Australian scrum-half Pat Phibbs has agreed a short-term deal to extend a trial spell and stay with the Exeter Chiefs for the second time in his career.
With Dave Lewis sidelined with an elbow injury and fellow scrum-half Haydn Thomas having suffered a head-knock in Friday's win at Gloucester, Chiefs coach Rob Baxter is keen to ensure he has sufficient cover in the half-back role.
Phibbs, who is in his second spell with the Devon club, initially joined a few weeks ago on trial, but his efforts in both training and for the Braves in the Aviva Premiership A League have rewarded the 32-year-old with a deal.
Sydney-born Phibbs previously joined the Chiefs on a short-term deal three years ago and was kept on for the season, making 11 appearances before signing for Leicester Tigers.
He's a good player, he's someone we like and we've seen him before so we're quite comfortable to get him down here.
He later signed a two-year deal with London Irish in February 2013, but was released this summer after breaking a foot during pre-season last year.
"We're going to sign him on a short-term deal," said Baxter. "He'll be here for a couple of months and then we'll re-assess the situation.
"He's a good player, he's someone we like and we've seen him before so we're quite comfortable to get him down here.
"He's very aware he hasn't played that much recently so we have to get him up to speed and give him opportunities in training and the A League and see how he goes.
"If he goes well enough, he'll get game time, or if things like this happen and injuries occur he'll be in contention. It's good that we got him down when we did and it's given us a bit of cover for a second injury, which we were hoping wouldn't happen.
"Pat's training really well, we've not had any fitness issues with him so it looks like a good move to have him down here.”
