Sport

Ian Whitten believes a more clinical approach from the Exeter Chiefs is key if they are to topple the elite sides in this season’s Aviva Premiership.

Not for the first time in his playing career at Sandy Park, the 27-year-old Irishman saw his side fall just short of overcoming one of English rugby’s leading lights as they went down 24-20 to Leicester Tigers last Saturday.

In a theme similar to that of several encounters last season, the Chiefs failed to hold onto their half-time advantage and it was the Tigers who came back to claim a vital away-day win.

Now,...

Exeter Chiefs star Jack Nowell says he has never "felt so good" on a rugby pitch after he marked his return to competitive action by claiming a try-double in Monday night's A League victory over London Welsh.

The England international has been sidelined since March with injuries to both his shoulder and knee, but he showed within minutes of his return that he was firing on all cylinders and itching to return to first team duty.

The Cornishman featured for 34 minutes as the Exeter Braves - who also added tries through Ceri Sweeney, Tom James, Jack Arnott, Sam Skinner and...

Ainsi Fideles stamped himself as an up-and-coming chaser for the future when beating the older and more experienced Lamb Or Cod to land the £11,000 North Devon Hospice Novices’ Chase at Newton Abbot on Monday 8th September.

The four-year-old Ainsi Fideles had shown real promise for trainer David Pipe, winning his last three races and earning a handicap mark of 145, just above that of his rival. He confirmed that good impression when taking the lead at the eighth fence and drawing right away from Lamb Or Cod for an easy 25 lengths win, with the other two runners even more strung out...

Not for the first time in their illustrious history, Leicester Tigers played the role of ‘party poopers’ as they came from behind to sink hosts Exeter Chiefs.

As Devon’s finest opened their doors for the first time since the multi-million pound redevelopment of Sandy Park this summer, it was the boot of England international Freddie Burns that ultimately guided his side to success in Devon.

The summer signing from Gloucester has wasted little time in settling into his new surroundings and his 11-point haul, together with tries from Anthony Allen and Ben Youngs, plus a late...