Sport

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he wants to see a response from his players following last weekend’s Aviva Premiership loss at Newcastle Falcons.

Having gone into the game at Kingston Park buoyed by notable wins over Gloucester (away) and Harlequins (home), Devon’s finest hit a speed bump in the North East as the Falcons claimed their first league win in 20 games with a 29-24 success.

It was a disappointing outcome for the Chiefs, who with 20 minutes remaining in the contest were in front 24-17. However, late tries from Tom Catterick and Noah Cato proved decisive...

A fortnight after beating top-of-the-table Bury at St James Park, the Grecians host Hartlepool United – who sit at the other extreme in the division’s standings.

A 3-0 home defeat at Victoria Park last weekend to Carlisle United, who were also struggling for form, was the final straw for Colin Cooper who vacated the manager’s chair that weekend. It was a also third game without a goal for Pools and a fifth without a win.

The resignation of Cooper, however, throws things into disorder in terms of City’s preparation. Pools are currently being overseen by centre-half Sam...

Just when it looked the Exeter Chiefs had taken two significant steps forward in this season’s Aviva Premiership, they sadly allowed one back as Newcastle Falcons claimed a priceless victory at Kingston Park.

Not since October 27 last year when London Irish were turned over 20-13 had Dean Richards’ side experienced the sweet taste of victory.

They were, however, the ‘Toast of the Toon’ come the final whistle on this occasion as tries from Sinoti Sinoti, Tom Catterick and Noah Cato, plus 14 points from the boot of playmaker Juan-Pablo Socino, helped them to end a 20-game...

Exeter Chiefs may be odds-on with the bookmakers to clock up their fourth Aviva Premiership victory of the season at Newcastle Falcons this Sunday, but head coach Rob Baxter doesn’t quite see as simple as that.

Winless in their last 20 top flight games, the Chiefs head honcho insists the Falcons have little to lose and everything to gain ahead of his side’s latest trip to Kingston Park (3pm).

Such a pre-match warning is certainly creditable from Baxter, who will figure in his 500th league game as either an Exeter player or coach this weekend. However, at the same time his...