Europe title next on Rowe's check list

Exeter Rugby Club chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe OBE believes the Chiefs can now go on to conquer Europe after they lifted English rugby’s top prize with victory in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership Final against Wasps.

Rowe watched on as Rob Baxter’s side produced a lung-busting display to claim the crown 23-20 following extra time at HQ.

Fly-half Gareth Steenson, whose deadly right boot kicked the Devon club into the top flight back in 2010, was again the hero, slotting a last-gasp penalty to ensure the title headed back to the Westcountry.

An emotional Rowe could not hide his delight at the final whistle, celebrating a monumental victory for his club.

“We set our stall our many years ago, we wanted to be Premiership champions, and here we are today as the champions of England,” he said.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, but it is just incredible. It was such a close game between two fantastic teams, and it was a war of attrition, but there was a time when I thought we wouldn’t do it, but we did.

“Gareth Steenson is an outstanding player and very level-headed. He is coming towards the end of his career and has probably got a year or two left with us, but to win this will be fantastic for him.”

Exeter’s title success – albeit in just seven years – will again go some way to showing that the club’s rise into the Premiership was indeed no fluke. Instead, it was a well thought out plan, years in the making, and Rowe says the growth will only continue in the years to come.

“People probably won’t doubt us now,” added Rowe. “We are rightfully in the Premiership, we’re rightful champions, and we are going to stay here. Our next challenge is to be champions of Europe.”

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency