rugby

Exeter Chiefs newcomer Chrysander Botha said the chance of testing himself both in the Aviva Premiership and European Rugby was an opportunity he simply could not turn down.

The Namibian international is just days into a two-year deal with the Chiefs, but already the 26-year-old admits he is settling in well to his new Westcountry surroundings.

Botha was head coach Rob Baxter’s eighth summer signing having just jetted in from South African Super Rugby franchise, the Lions, and will offer yet another attacking option to the Chiefs back three this term.

For Botha,...

Hooker Elvis Taione hopes a big year with new club Exeter Chiefs in the Aviva Premiership can help secure him a spot in the Tongan squad for next year's Rugby World Cup.

The 31-year-old is one of seven new signings brought to Sandy Park by head coach Rob Baxter this summer and already the experienced forward is setting his sights high ahead of the 2014/15 campaign.

Not only is Taione keen on playing a key role within Baxter's first-team make-up, but he hopes his on-field actions will be enough to put him in contention for the South Sea Islanders.

Ironically, Tonga...

Exeter Chiefs star Kai Horstmann was on hand to proudly hand over the keys to the new FORCE Cancer Charity van, which has been partly funded by the Exeter Foundation.

Set up in 2010 by some of Exeter’s top names in business and sport, the Foundation not only helps to raise vital funds for worthwhile local charities, but it also supports key projects across the region through money raised not only at Chiefs' match-days, but at various fundraising events throughout the course of the year.

For Kai, these latest handover to FORCE (Friends of the Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre...

Exeter Chiefs skipper Dean Mumm is set to miss the start of the new Aviva Premiership campaign in September after undergoing a shoulder operation.

The 30-year-old former Australian international second row forward suffered the injury last season, and it has not recovered as the Chiefs had hoped.

It is a blow to Exeter’s early-season plans as he is a key figure in the team.

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter explained: "Dean finished the season with a little bit of a shoulder issue.

“He came back and played the last two games of the campaign against Harlequins and...

Ali Hepher has warned Exeter Chiefs players they can ill afford to rest on their laurels as the club continue their preparations for the new 2014/15 season.

After last season's impressive campaign, which included the Devon club lifting their first piece of major silverware when taking the LV= Cup in March, expectations amongst the playing group have been raised another notch during the first few weeks of pre-season.

The emergence of a number of Exeter's highly-rated youngsters, together with more game time for others within the group, mean the Chiefs will have a much battle...

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he and his team are "excited" by what lies ahead after the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership fixtures were confirmed.

The Devon club will kick-off their league season on Sunday, September 7 in a televised clash against newly-promoted London Welsh at the Kassam Stadium.

It will mark a second league visit to the Oxford venue for the Chiefs, who two seasons ago went down 25-24 against the Exiles.

Baxter, though, knows what is needed and with his new-look side already deep into their pre-season planning, the countdown to the new season...

Mark Twiggs believes a "refreshed" outlook has given the Exeter Chiefs a real spring in their step as they get stuck into the rigours of pre-season.

With Sandy Park currently closed to all and sundry due to the multi-million pound redevelopment works that are being carried out ahead of the 2014/15 season, the Chiefs squad have been forced to relocate to the University of Exeter for the majority of their build-up to the new campaign.

The enforced switch, however, has been hailed a huge success by Twiggs, who heads up the Aviva Premiership club's Strength & Conditioning...

Head coach Rob Baxter says he is encouraged by the way his Exeter Chiefs have reported back for pre-season training this week.

Just a handful of weeks after bringing the curtain down on the 2013/14 season - one which brought about a first piece of major silverware for the Devon club - the Chiefs regrouped on Monday for the start of their build-up to the new campaign.

Welcoming back a large nucleus of last season's LV= Cup winning squad, Baxter was also able to parade a selection of his new recruits with Ryan Caldwell, Tomas Francis, Mitch Lees and Thomas Waldrom in...

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter welcomed back the majority of his playing squad for the first day of pre-season.

Among those on show were summer signings Thomas Waldrom, Mitch Lees, Ryan Caldwell and Tomas Francis, whilst there was the encouraging sight of Brett Sturgess, Jack Nowell and Damian Welch all taking part after recent injuries.

The Chiefs will undergo some intense training ahead of what promises to be another big season ahead for the reigning LV= Cup champions.

Head of Strength and Conditioning Mark Twiggs will oversee all the training during the pre-...

Exeter Chiefs prop Brett Sturgess is hopeful he will get to feature during the club's pre-season build-up as he draws ever nearer to a competitive return.

The 32-year-old forward has been sidelined since December when he sustained a serious knee ligament injury in the dying moments of his side's loss to Harlequins in Big Game 6 at Twickenham.

Since that untimely blow Sturgess has been grafting away on his rehabilitation programme, ensuring he not only recovers from the injury, but gets himself in perfect nick for what promises to be another big season for the Westcountry...