In the first instalment of his exclusive blog for The Exeter Daily, Chris Whitehead, the Exeter Chiefs hooker, finds himself banging his head on the (party) wall...
How do you deal with enormous highs and lows of being a professional sportsman? This weekend saw arguably the best victory of our season so far and yet I find myself devoid of any real excitement.
Is this down to not having any real involvement in the victory over the current champions (and no comments about the win and my absence being related please)? Maybe, but I can assure you the real reason for feeling...
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter hailed his side as "exceptional" as they maintained their unbeaten home record in the Aviva Premiership with a comprehensive 42-28 victory over Harlequins at Sandy Park.
Undone seven days earlier by Leicester Tigers at Welford Road, the Chiefs bounced back from that setback by producing their best display of the season so far to record maximum points against last season's top flight champions.
In an absorbing contest from start to finish, the Devon club not only ran in five tries through Brett Sturgess, Ben White, Jason Shoemark (2) and...
Exeter Chiefs' head coach Rob Baxter says his team will have to produce a "big performance" if they are to overcome defending champions Harlequins in their latest Aviva Premiership fixture tomorrow (3pm).
Undone 30-8 at Leicester Tigers a week ago, Baxter is hoping for an immediate riposte from his side as they prepare to welcome Conor O'Shea's men to Sandy Park for the third time in the top flight.
Like the Chiefs, Harlequins also came unstuck last time out, losing their unbeaten tag...
Exeter Chiefs scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga has today agreed to join Championship outfit Cornish Pirates on a short-term loan deal.
With the Pirates having been dealt an untimely blow with captain Gavin Cattle sustaining an injury in last Friday's 18-18 draw at Doncaster Knights, the Cornish club have moved swiftly to acquire the services of the talented 31-year-old Samoan international.
The Auckland-born number nine, who is now into his third season at Sandy Park, will head to the Duchy with at least a few familiar faces in tow as the Pirates have already dual-...
Exeter Chiefs have signed Bath Rugby full-back / fly-half Sam Harris on a two-year deal from the 2026/27 season.
The 22-year-old has made 14 senior appearances for Bath having graduated from the University of Bath with a sport and exercise science degree.
Harris said: “I’m really excited to be joining Exeter Chiefs. It’s a club with a strong identity, an amazing fan base and a record of competing at the highest level.
“After speaking with the coaches, I felt this was the right environment for a fresh start. I enjoy the style of rugby Exeter plays, and I’m...
Glen Townson has joined Exeter Chiefs as the men’s assistant forwards coach.
Formerly the academy transition coach with Bristol Bears, the former lock forward makes the move to Chiefs having been in his transition role with Bears since September 2022.
Townson said: “It has been a real ambition of mine to be a Gallagher PREM coach, and to get the chance to do it at the Chiefs, one of the most successful clubs in the last decade, a club with rich history, was an opportunity I had to take.
“I’m hoping to add experience to a strong coaching group and build on the...
Wilson has moved back to the UK having been a part of the Southland Stags coaching staff for the last four years. The 42-year-old joined the Stags as attack coach in 2021 having previously represented them on more than 80 occasions as a player.
Wilson said: “Coming back to the PREM was a massive draw for me. I was once a player here and I’ve always wanted to come back to coach in the UK. So, when this opportunity came up, I had to jump at it.
“Rob [Baxter] liked the fact I had experience working with guys coming through the academy and transitioning into the first team....
Ricky Pellow has made the decision to leave the Exeter Chiefs coaching team after 16 seasons to spend more time with his family and explore other career opportunities.
The proud Cornishman joined Chiefs in 2009 as skills coach after retiring from his playing career during which he played scrum-half for Cornish Pirates and Worcester Warriors.
Pellow said: “I’ve had 16 amazing years here at the club, so it’s an emotional decision to leave but it is one that enables me and my family to experience a new adventure.
“I’ve made some unbelievable memories as a Chief....
After a stellar debut season, Exeter Chiefs and winger Paul Brown-Bampoe have agreed a new contract extension.
It is no secret that the 23-year-old has enjoyed one of the strongest breakthrough seasons of recent years, as the youngster went from being on loan to Plymouth Albion to scoring against Bordeaux Begles in an Investec Champions Cup clash.
“I am delighted to be re-signing at Chiefs,” Brown-Bampoe said. “It’s an environment that has allowed me to grow both my understanding and passion for the game.
“The Chiefs faithful have accepted me as one of their own...
Exeter Chiefs Women have signed versatile forward Lola Whitley from Gloucester-Hartpury.
The 21-year-old is equally comfortable at lock and in the back-row and played for England U20s last year.
Initially more of a fan of athletics, 100 metres and high jump in particular, Whitley began playing rugby at Sudbury RFC aged 13 when a friend dragged her along to a game. She started off on the wing and scored 10 tries in that first match.
She said: “I was pretty awful, but I just loved running though people!”
Part of large girls’ programme at Sudbury, Whitley...
