Sport

Rob Baxter hopes a return to home comforts tomorrow will help provide him and his Exeter Chiefs with the perfect foundation from which to attack visiting Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership (2:30pm).

Defeat away to Gloucester a week ago saw the Devonians surrender top spot in the division, albeit on points difference to defending champions Saracens, but Baxter believes being back on familiar surroundings can ensure normal service is resumed at the first attempt.

It's been six weeks since the Chiefs last ran out at home - that was against Castres in the Heineken...

The Healthy Pets Devon National takes centre stage at Exeter Racecourse next Friday (Feb 22) where racecourse director and former champion point-to-point rider Polly Gundry will be hoping to keep the crown in Devon for the second year running.

Polly, who trains racehorses near Ottery St Mary, is planning to run her popular bay Dawson City who won the race last year.

Andrew Thornton, who has since retired, was in the saddle, and when the pair galloped to victory, cheers could be heard across Haldon forest, such was the popularity of the win.

Polly said: “It was great...

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby Rob Baxter insists he’s edging ever closer to putting in place his squad for next season after two more of his current stars agreed new contracts with the club.

Having already tied up the futures of a number of his squad in recent weeks, scrum-half Stuart Townsend has committed his future to the club until at the least the summer of 2021 with a new two-year deal, while fellow number nine, Jack Maunder, has also penned a fresh one-year contract with the club.

The decision by the duo is yet more welcome news for Baxter, who believes the two...

Rob Baxter has called on his Exeter Chiefs side to show their 'fighting qualities' when they tackle rivals Gloucester tomorrow night in Round 13 of this season's Gallagher Premiership at Kingsholm (7:45pm).

Over a month has passed since the Chiefs last took to the field in top-flight action - that day they won 14-9 at home to Bristol Bears to maintain their position as the divisional frontrunner - and Director of Rugby Baxter has spoken of the excitement that exists within the camp ahead of this fourth meeting of the season against the Cherry & Whites.

So far, the...