Sport

Rob Baxter hailed his side’s European Challenge Cup victory over La Rochelle as a “thoroughly professional performance” as the Exeter Chiefs reaffirmed their position at the top of Pool Two.

Not since their maiden European campaign in 2010 - against Bourgoin - had the Chiefs secured victory on French soil.

Six consecutive defeats across the Channel followed for Baxter’s troops, but they underlined their blossoming credentials with a powerful display at the Stade Marcel Deflandre.

Tries from Tom James, Brett Sturgess, Byron McGuigan and Fetu’u Vainikolo were among...

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has praised the contribution Gareth Steenson has played in helping the Devon club establish themselves as a force within the English game.

Welcoming the news the Irish fly-half has this week agreed terms on a new three-year deal that will keep him at Sandy Park until 2018, Baxter wasted little time in reflecting on the contribution put in by the Dungannon-born back.

“There’s no magic ingredient,” said Baxter. “Steeno has improved over a period because his gained more and more experience in the Premiership and in Europe and those...

Cross-country runners from across the South West will be converging upon Bicton College for the England Athletics Cross Country Championships 2015. The event has been getting bigger every year and therefore finding an appropriate venue for so many runners and their families has been a challenge for organizers South West Athletics Academy.

“We always want to ensure an outstanding day of competition for south west runners” said event director Sonya Ellis. “Getting the right balance of on site facilities, a stunning venue and a suitably demanding course is always a tricky dilemma, but...

Match report: Chiefs 27 Saracens 19

Gareth Steenson equalled the record for most penalties in an Aviva Premiership match as he kicked Exeter Chiefs to a significant victory over Saracens at Sandy Park.

The Irishman produced an unblemished nine from nine to further underline the top four credentials of Rob Baxter’s side, who in recent weeks have also toppled defending champions Northampton Saints and Wasps. Saracens countered with a late converted try from Maro Itoje and four penalties from Charlie Hodgson, but it was scant reward in a game in which the Chiefs ruled the...