Premiership Rugby

Chiefs side to face Leicester Tigers

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Sat, 03/05/2016 - 12:08pm

Exeter Chiefs back coach Ali Hepher says his side will have to be on top form if they are to emerge triumphant from today's Sunday’s Aviva Premiership trip to Leicester Tigers (3pm).

The second-placed Chiefs made it back-to-back victories in the league a week ago when they defeated local rivals Bath 26-17 at Sandy Park, but their credentials are sure to be tested to the max by the Tigers, who themselves remain firmly in the play-off picture having thumped London Irish last time out.

Nine points separate the two sides going into this weekend’s tussle at Welford Road and...

Baxter praises all-round team effort

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Mon, 02/29/2016 - 12:26pm

Head coach Rob Baxter hailed his Exeter Chiefs side as they saw off local rivals Bath Rugby to close the gap on leaders Saracens at the top of the Aviva Premiership.

Fresh from victory away to London Irish the week previous, the Devon club pocketed only their second-ever league win against Bath at a packed out Sandy Park.

Skipper Gareth Steenson was the chief architect of the home side’s 26-17 win, plundering four penalties and also converting tries for Ian Whitten and Kai Horstmann. The Irishman’s 16-point haul took him to 1,000 top flight points and edged him ever closer...

Exeter Chiefs 26 Bath Rugby 17

Exeter’s master marksman Gareth Steenson fired the necessary shots as the Chiefs gained revenge for their opening day loss to local rivals Bath Rugby by winning the return match-up at Sandy Park.

The Devon club cemented their place within the top two of the Aviva Premiership with a hard fought victory that saw Ian Whitten and Kai Horstmann cross for tries, while fly-half Steenson landed four penalties and two conversions.

Steenson’s 16-point haul not only edged him ever closer to Tony Yapp’s all-time club scoring record, but it put him on 1,000 Premiership points in his...

Chiefs side to face Bath Rugby

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Sun, 02/28/2016 - 11:58am

Ali Hepher insists Exeter Chiefs will need to put in a “stellar home performance” if they are to emerge triumphant from Sunday’s Aviva Premiership encounter with Bath at Sandy Park (1pm).

Having accrued just one win in 11 previous top flight encounters against their nearest and dearest, the Chiefs are hoping to inflict further woe on Mike Ford’s side, who are surprisingly languishing ninth in the current standings.

Beaten last May in the Premiership Final by Saracens, Bath have struggled to replicate the kind of form which helped to propel them to Twickenham. With just four...

Steenson praises power of the pack

Gareth Steenson may be Exeter’s master marksman, but the Chiefs fly-half was quick to praise the efforts of his forwards after they helped the Devon club return to winning ways on Sunday.

After successive defeats in the Aviva Premiership, Rob Baxter’s side rediscovered their winning habit at the Madejski Stadium as they won 22-15 against lowly London Irish.

Steenson’s 17-point haul, plus a second half try from Dave Lewis, sealed win number nine of the season for the Chiefs who remain second in the table, just four points adrift of leaders Saracens after 13 rounds of the...

London Irish 15 Exeter Chiefs 22

When push came to shove, it was Exeter Chiefs who powered their way to a ninth Aviva Premiership victory of the season against lowly London Irish.

Having trailed 7-6 at the break, Rob Baxter’s side returned to winning ways in the top flight with a hard-fought win that was not only timely, but helped to keep an ever-increasing chasing pack in the play-off race at arms length.

Replacement Dave Lewis scampered over for Exeter’s only try of the game, while fly-half Gareth Steenson did the rest of the damage with an unblemished 17 points with his trusty right boot.

In...

Chiefs side to face London Irish

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Sun, 02/21/2016 - 12:04pm

Rob Hunter has warned Exeter Chiefs to be wary of a potential backlash from London Irish when the two meet in the Aviva Premiership on Sunday (3pm).

Forwards coach Hunter is well aware the lowly Exiles will be hurting following last weekend’s 35-7 defeat at Northampton Saints and he believes they will be searching for an immediate response of sorts at the Madejski Stadium.

Bottom of the pile and with just three league victories to their name this term, Irish know they must make the most of home advantage and look to replicate their achievements of last season when a last-...

Baxter delighted to welcome Turner on board

Exeter head coach Rob Baxter has today spoken of his delight at bolstering his Chiefs squad with the signing of Australian international Lachlan Turner.

The 28-year-old has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Aviva Premiership club and arrives at Sandy Park having previously played for Aussie Super Rugby sides NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds, as well as French Top 14 giants RC Toulon.

Turner’s arrival in Devon provides a perfect boost for the Chiefs, who are sitting second in the Premiership table and who have also qualified for the quarter-finals of the European...

Sale Sharks 23 Exeter Chiefs 17

Sale Sharks whipped up their own on-field version of ’Storm Imogen’ to wreak havoc on the high-flying hopes of Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership.

Undone on home soil by league leaders Saracens the week previous, Rob Baxter’s side crashed to a second successive league defeat as the Sharks delivered a telling first half bite that the Chiefs never really recovered from.

Johnny Leota, Nev Edwards and Mike Haley all crossed for tries during the opening 40 minutes for Steve Diamond’s side – and fly-half Danny Cipriani did the rest of the damage as he slotted a conversion and...

Chiefs must regoup quickly, says Parling

Exeter Chiefs lock Geoff Parling insists he and his team-mates must regroup quickly ahead of their upcoming Aviva Premiership trip to Sale Sharks this Saturday.

Rob Baxter's side saw their 13-month long unbeaten home record ended at the weekend as league leaders Saracens edged home 14-11 at a packed Sandy Park.

In a tight encounter between the division's top two sides, it was Charlie Hodgson's late penalty that ultimately proved the difference.

The former England international fly-half landed three second half penalties for the visitors, who have now moved five...

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