Although the Rugby World Cup won’t always be on, and it won’t always be hosted in England, meaning there won’t always be an Exeter fan zone, watching a game from the fan zone was a great way to start getting involved in the city.
I chose to head down for the Ireland Vs France game – primarily because my boyfriend is from Belfast and he was dying to go, but also because it was set to be a good game. More importantly, the weather was perfect. One of those crisp autumn days that’s cold enough to feel a hint of Christmas but it was still comfortable.
A happy Rob Baxter refused to get too carried away despite seeing his Exeter Chiefs wrap up their pre-season programme with an impressive 43-16 victory over Bath at the Recreation Ground.
Having already lay claim to the inaugural Westcountry Challenge Cup with a game to spare, the Chiefs turned round a 16-14 deficit to run in 29 unanswered points in a polished second half showing.
Converted first half tries from Luke Cowan-Dickie and the returning Dave Ewers were cancelled out by three Tom Homer penalties and his conversion of Matt Banahan’s try on the stroke of half time...
Exeter Chiefs produced a clinical second half display to sink rivals Bath in their final pre-season run-out ahead of the new Aviva Premiership season.
Trailing 16-14 at the turn, Rob Baxter’s side scored 29 unanswered points to ensure they lifted the inaugural Westcountry Challenge Cup with an unblemished record.
Converted first half tries from Luke Cowan-Dickie and the returning Dave Ewers were cancelled out by three Tom Homer penalties and his conversion of Matt Banahan’s try on the stroke of half time.
However, the second half belonged solely to the visitors,...
Head coach Rob Baxter says he will use tomorrow’s final Westcountry Challenge Cup fixture at Bath as the ideal opportunity to fine tune his Exeter Chiefs squad ahead of the new 2015/16 season.
Having already collected three pre-season wins over Gloucester (home and away) and Bath at home, Baxter knows this latest encounter at the Recreation Ground (5.45pm) offers the final chance for his players to stake their claims ahead of the big kick-off.
With Bath also providing the opposition for Exeter’s opening Aviva Premiership game of the season next week, some may feel neither...
Rugby World Cup 2015 continues to grip the nation with over half a million local and international fans enjoying the Official Fanzones up and down the country to watch live matches and enjoy the excitement of the Tournament.
This is in addition to over one million fans who have already enjoyed the action in venues to date, a figure which is set to double with 2.41 million tickets now sold across the 48 matches.
Rugby World Cup 2015 is on track to be the biggest Rugby World Cup to date, with total match attendance figures surpassing one million, helped by three record-...
Ben Moon says he can feel a mood change with the Exeter Chiefs camp as the start of the new Aviva Premiership season draws ever closer.
Rob Baxter’s side wrap up their pre-season campaign this weekend with the final instalment of this year’s Westcountry Challenge Cup – a competition the Devon club have already secured with a game to spare.
Last weekend’s narrow 31-33 victory over Gloucester ensured the Chiefs made it three wins from three in pre-season, having already seen off the Cherry and Whites and Bath on home soil in recent weeks.
Jack Yeandle has been named as Exeter Chiefs club captain for the 2015/16 season.
Rob Baxter revealed his choice on Wednesday after telling the players of his decision earlier that morning ahead of Saturday's Westcountry Challenge Cup match at Bath.
It brings to an end a question which has been swirling around Sandy Park throughout the summer following Dean Mumm's departure to Australia.
Hooker Yeandle, 25, captained the side at the start of the 2014/15 campaign after Mumm was ruled out following shoulder surgery, and Baxter confirmed that his success during that...
Stuart Lancaster has reshuffled his match-day squad for England’s fourth and final Pool A clash against Uruguay on Saturday in Manchester (kick-off 8pm, live on ITV), handing maiden Rugby World Cup starts to four players.
Exeter Chiefs duo Henry Slade and Jack Nowell feature at outside centre and wing respectively, while scrum half Danny Care and full back Alex Goode also get their first taste of tournament action at Manchester City Stadium.
In the pack, Mako Vunipola starts in place of Joe Marler at loosehead prop, with James Haskell and Nick Easter replacing Tom Wood and...
Exeter Chiefs were indebted to a late penalty from replacement Will Hooley to ensure they secured victory over rivals Gloucester in their latest Westcountry Challenge Cup encounter.
Having already seen off the Cherry & Whites and Bath on home soil, Rob Baxter’s side ensured the newly-created Cup would be heading to Sandy Park, even though they still have a game to play in the competition away to Bath next week.
Having dominated the early exchanges to lead through converted tries from Thomas Waldrom and Luke Cowan-Dickie, the Chiefs allowed their hosts to hit back before...
