Perfect end to the year for Exeter Chiefs fans

If you’re an Exeter Chiefs fan you probably don’t want 2017 to end, such has been the joy the past 12 months has brought.

That said, Rob Baxter’s side will head into the New Year not only as reigning Aviva Premiership champions, but top of the current pile, some ten points clear of next-best Saracens.

Tasked with finishing the year on a high, the Chiefs duly rose to the occasion, scoring four second half tries to ensure not only maximum reward but condemn visiting Leicester Tigers to a sixth straight defeat.

After a tight first half - one in which they led 6-3 at the turn - Devon's finest made light of conditions being against them to power to a famous victory.

Don Armand, Henry Slade, Jonny Hill and Jack Yeandle all helped themselves to a try apiece, capitalising on the graft that had gone before, and helping to avenge their defeat earlier in the season by the Tigers at Welford Road.

With a capacity crowd in place for the club’s final game of a memorable year, the Chiefs made three changes in personnel to that which had won impressively at Northampton last time out. Up front, Alec Hepburn and Thomas Waldrom were brought into the pack, while the return of Lachie Turner at full-back meant Slade was shunted back into the midfield with Ian Whitten the man forced to drop out.

The Tigers, meanwhile, were also fully loaded for the contest, arriving in Devon with a wealth of international talent at their disposal. Among those on show was Aussie hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, who was making his first Premiership start, and who was one of a number of changes to their side defeated by Saracens on Christmas Eve.

Other changes saw the visiting backline undergo a late reshuffle with England winger Jonny May moved to full-back and Nick Malouf brought in on the wing after Mathew Tait was adjudged only fit enough to take his place on the bench.

For the full match report and stats go to: https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-30-tigers-6