22-year-old loosehead prop Fin Baxter has become the latest player to sign a contract extension to commit his future to Harlequins. Under a week after England teammate Marcus Smith extended his Harlequins contract until, Baxter has joined a wave of key re-signings and will stay with the club he joined as a 13-year-old.
Baxter has already represented Harlequins 58 times in his short career since making his debut against Racing in December, before going on to be a core part of the squad that lifted the Premiership in June.
Under the tutelage of ex-British & Irish Lion prop Adam Jones and working alongside a talented group of front-row players in the squad, Baxter has developed rapidly and was recognised in the Premiership Team of the Season.
Whilst specialising as a loosehead prop, Baxter began his career initially as a tighthead and has become a fearsome competitor with a tackle success rate in the season.
Baxter has also continued his excellent club form into the international fold, backing up his England U18 and U20 caps, by earning his full England debut in July this summer in New Zealand against the All Blacks.
With caps to his name already, Baxter is building on strong foundations having captained England U20’s with whom he went on to win the U20 Six Nations Grand Slam in.
“I’m buzzing! I’ve loved my time at the Club, especially since coming into the senior setup at 18 years old – to sign a new contract is awesome,” said Baxter.
“I’m enjoying my rugby, developing as a player and we’ve got a great group of lads here. We’ve had a taste of success as a group but we want more opportunities to lift silverware.
“If someone had told me months ago I was going to have the year I’ve had, at first, I wouldn’t have believed them. Good performances at Club level with Quins allowed me the opportunity to go on tour with England and earn my first caps for my country, and I believe I’ve developed so much from those experiences. Hopefully there is more to come.”
Head Coach Danny Wilson added: “Fin is an outstanding rugby player, who’s developed at a rapid rate during my time at the Club and he is deservedly earning the opportunity to represent his country on the international stage.
“He’s another homegrown talent that took their opportunity when introduced into the senior setup and he’s never looked back. Fin has a desire to learn, which is vital in any player’s journey to becoming an elite operator in their position, especially in the front row.
“We’re all delighted he’s committed his future to the Club, where we believe he has the environment to continue growing his skillset and take his performances to an even higher level.”
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Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players
From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.
Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!
