Baxter: Expects Rimmer to thrive

Rimmer was named the players' player of the year after helping the Pirates to the RFU Championship final.

Having started his career at Earlsdon, the 26-year-old went on to play for Nuneaton and Coventry before making 90 appearances during three seasons at the Pirates.

And Exeter head coach Rob Baxter is looking for Rimmer to continue his development at Sandy Park after handing the front-rower a 12-month deal.

"With Carl's good form, being based at a local club and being the right age, the way he tested when we had a look at him, it made sense to go with him," Baxter told the club's official site.

"He's had a very good season, being players' player has proven that, but these later stages he's come through very strong and we think he's got the raw materials for us to work with.

"We're going to expect him to thrive and take every opportunity that comes along from being involved with a Premiership club, just like a lot of our guys who stepped up from the Championship with us.

"They have used the Premiership to improve themselves as players, they've used it to drive the way they've worked in the conditioning sessions, used it to drive the way they trained and played and it's moved them forward.

"That's important for him. He can't come to us and stand still, he needs to come to us and do what our other guys have done and not sit down and watch it happen around him.

"It's a good challenge for him but I think he's got all the raw materials so the ball's in his court. We'll obviously work very hard with him, but he's got to come here determined to make the step up."