rugby

Exeter Chiefs side to face Bayonne

Rob Baxter believes the incentive of a home quarter-final can act as the ideal motivation for his Exeter Chiefs side ahead of their final Pool Two fixture against Bayonne in this season's European Challenge Cup (5.30pm) today.

Having already bagged themselves a last eight spot courtesy of last weekend's 33-24 win at Connacht, the Chiefs will be looking to put the gloss on what has been an impressive European campaign to date. Standing in their way, however, are their Top 14 rivals, who despite not being able to advance to the latter stages, will themselves be looking to finish on a...

White agrees new Chiefs deal

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Thu, 01/22/2015 - 12:06pm

Ben White is looking forward to an exciting future after he became the latest Exeter Chiefs player to commit his long-term future to the Aviva Premiership club.

Now into his fourth season at Sandy Park, the 31-year-old forward has established himself as a key member within Rob Baxter’s first-team squad, amassing 84 appearances and 15 tries since his move from Cardiff Blues in 2011.

Australian-born White follows the lead of Gareth Steenson, Dave Lewis, Ben Moon, Carl Rimmer and Kai Horstmann in agreeing terms on a new deal with the Devon club in recent weeks.

“It’s...

A Free Pint and Pasty at The FUGBY12

Authored by Hospiscare
Posted: Wed, 01/21/2015 - 10:52pm

Exeter footie and rugby fans are being urged to join an exciting new men’s walk – The FUGBY12.

Join the 12 mile sponsored walk from Exeter City Football Club and relax with a free pint and a pasty to watch the Six Nations rugby afterwards or some footie action.

The FUGBY12 is the new name for the Hospiscare Men’s Walk and for the first time it will be starting and finishing from Exeter City's St James Park on Saturday March 21.

This event mixes the sports of rugby and football and offers a new countryside route for walkers, who on returning to the stadium will...

Chiefs side to face Connacht

The European credentials of Exeter Chiefs will be put firmly to the test this weekend when Rob Baxter leads his side into battle at Connacht this Sunday (3.15pm).

After a difficult month of action in the Aviva Premiership, the switch to European Challenge Cup action could not have been better timed for the Devon club, who head into this weekend’s tussle top of Pool Two and two points clear of their Irish hosts.

Connacht, though, are a tough nut to crack at the Galway Sportsground and their impressive European record - which reads 10 wins in their last 12 home games - means...

Prop Hepburn joins Exeter Chiefs

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Thu, 01/15/2015 - 12:30pm

Exeter Chiefs have bolstered their front-row options with the signing of young prop Alec Hepburn from Australian club Perth Spirit.

The 21-year-old forward, who has previously enjoyed spells with Wasps and London Welsh, has signed a deal that will keep him at Sandy Park until 2017.

Brought into the Chiefs this week by head coach Rob Baxter, Hepburn was a member of the victorious England Under-20s side that won the Junior World Championship in France two years ago, lining up alongside current Exeter young guns Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joel Conlon, Sam Hill, Henry Slade and Jack...

Chiefs side to face London Irish

Rob Baxter insists there will be no ditching the Exeter Chiefs game plan despite the club slipping to three successive Aviva Premiership defeats.

Having headed into the festive period safely ensconced in the division’s top four, they head into Round 13 of this season’s competition having dropped to sixth place following losses to Sale Sharks, Bath and Gloucester.

Today (Sunday) the Chiefs face London Irish at the Madejski Stadium (3pm) looking to get their campaign firmly back on track before they break for the next stages of European and LV= Cup battle.

Although...

Match day buzz excites Sexton

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Wed, 01/07/2015 - 12:01pm

Jerry Sexton hopes he gets to experience the match-day buzz of Sandy Park again this season after he made his Aviva Premiership debut for the Exeter Chiefs in Saturday's narrow loss to Gloucester.

The 21-year-old forward was used as a second half replacement by head coach Rob Baxter, replacing team-mate Mitch Lees who was forced out of the action due to injury.

Given his opportunity to shine, Sexton - the younger brother of Ireland and British Lions fly-half, Jonathan Sexton - did not disappoint, putting himself about the field in a committed display at a packed out Sandy...

Rugby World Cup to inspire youngsters

Young people struggling to find work will have the opportunity to boost their job prospects thanks to a Rugby World Cup 2015 inspired project set up by Exeter City Council and the Exeter and Heart of Devon Employability and Skills Board.

Launched at Sandy Park, the two-week pilot programme uses sport to inspire 16–24 year olds, giving them new life skills and confidence to help them progress into the work place, an apprenticeship or further training.

If successful, the hope is that additional funding can be secured to roll out the programme through 2015, so more people can...

Thomas refuses to panic

Authored by Mark Stevens
Posted: Mon, 01/05/2015 - 10:50am

Haydn Thomas insists there will be no panic within the ranks despite Exeter Chiefs slipping to a third successive Aviva Premiership defeat on Saturday.

In what was Thomas' 200th appearance for the Devon outfit, it was former club Gloucester who took the spoils 26-25 in a highly entertaining encounter at a packed Sandy Park.

After back-to-back losses away to Sale Sharks and Bath Rugby, Rob Baxter's side were hoping a return to familiar home surroundings would provide the ideal catalyst for them to rediscover their winning formula.

Sadly, it was not to be as the...

Chiefs lose by a point to Gloucester

Match report: Exeter Chiefs 25 Gloucester 26

Unlike Game One of their Aviva Premiership existence, Exeter’s 100th top flight encounter failed to bring the same rewards for Rob Baxter’s side, writes Mark Stevens.

Back in September 2010, the Chiefs stunned the rugby world when they saw off visiting Gloucester 22-10 thanks to a Mark Foster try and the deadly boot of Gareth Steenson.

Five years down the line, Devon’s finest have grown in stature, forging themselves as one of England’s leading lights.

On this occasion, though, Steenson was unable to repeat the...

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