Sport

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has today given a positive outlook on the club’s walking wounded during his weekly media briefing held at Sandy Park.

Having been without a number of frontline stars in recent weeks due to long-term injuries, it appears things are brightening up for the Devon club.

Hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie marked his return to first team action following a broken thumb at Worcester a fortnight ago, while the sight of Dave Ewers and Henry Slade both out and about in training this week is equally encouraging.

Meanwhile, locks Damian Welch and Mitch...

Exeter Racecourse’s Super Sunday fixture, which coincides with Valentine’s Day, has drawn a strong card of entries for its seven races, including plenty on target for the Cheltenham Festival that begins in five weeks time and the Crabbie’s Grand National which takes place three weeks later.

The ten entries in the listed Bathwick Tyres novices’ hurdle include the Nicky Henderson-trained Buveur D’Air an impressive winner of his last two starts over hurdles and an entry for both the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which he is currently 7-1, and the Neptune Investment Management...

Exeter Chiefs star Jack Nowell has been named in Eddie Jones’ squad to travel to Rome for England’s Six Nations match against Italy on Sunday 14 February at the Stadio Olimpico (2pm, ITV).

The squad also includes Saracens forward Maro Itoje and Sale No 8 Josh Beaumont while Wasps centre Elliot Daly and Gloucester openside Matt Kvesic have been released back to their clubs.

Jones said that there may well be changes for the Italy game. “We’ll pick the best 23 to play against Italy and the conditions in Italy will be different, so the squad will be slightly different,” he said...

Exeter City have received planning permission for a new grandstand at St James Park following an 8-2 vote in favour at Exeter City Council last night.

The new stand is to replace the existing Stagecoach Stand.

Club chairman Julian Tagg tweeted: "Result... @OfficialECFC get planning approval for new grandstand. 8-2!!!" following the conclusion of the vote.

Councillor Keith Owen, who represents the St James Ward, told BBC Radio Devon: "It was a good meeting in that everyone had their say on the issues. I, and the majority of residents in St James, will be disappointed...