New wheels for Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs will take to the road this season with a stylish new look following the delivery this week of the club's latest state-of-the-art team coach.

As these pictures show, Rob Baxter and his playing squad will be travelling to rugby venues across the country in style following the acquisition of the new vehicle this summer.

Fitted with all the latest mod-cons, including an on-board kitchen, Digital TV, DVD player, X-Box and music system, the Aviva Premiership club may well be the envy of their league rivals as they hit the motorway network of the UK this term.

At a cost of just over £400,000, the new 41-seater coach - which will again be operated by Exeter-based Dartline Coaches - will over the course of the current campaign clock up in excess of 6,000 miles as it ships the Chiefs to various locations around the country for Premiership, LV= Cup and A League action.

Measuring 13.9 metres in length and 3.75m high, the VDL coach boasts an 11.8 litre engine and has been fitted with the latest Euro 6 Emissions Technology. It has also been emblazoned with the official Chiefs livery thanks to Swiftprint at Dawlish.

Purchased through Wellington-based suppliers Moseley, Exeter Rugby Club chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe OBE is delighted with the latest arrival to the club's fleet of vehicles.

"The new coach looks fantastic," said Rowe. "With the amount of travelling the squad have to do over the course of a season, it's imperative that the guys are able to travel in comfort and that journeys are as relaxing as possible.

"We've had outstanding service from all those involved in getting the coach to us in time for the new season, especially Allan Vaulter and his team at Moseley. And our working relationship with Dartline Coaches continues to flourish each year.

"Not only are Dartline responsible for shipping our players to various rugby grounds around the country, but they are heavily involved in supporter travel for our away games and also match-day travel here at Sandy Park."

Sam Maloney, Transport Manager for Dartline Coaches, added: "We think the new Chiefs coach looks fabulous and it's a great addition to our fleet. As a company we take great pride in transporting not just the Exeter players, but all of their supporters to all the different rugby grounds.

"Having our name associated with the Chiefs, the region's leading sporting club, is something we treasure and like all the supporters, we are all looking forward to what we hope will be another successful season for the club.

* Pictures courtesy of Exeter Chiefs and Pinnacle