Just how far Exeter Chiefs have come in recent times can be underlined with a quick glance at their fixture list for the next month, so says star fly-half Gareth Steenson.
With Saracens first up tomorrow at Sandy Park (3pm), the Devon club will then embark on a run of games which sees them face Bath (away) in the Premiership; champions Toulon (home and away) in the Heineken Cup; before further top flight encounters with Newcastle Falcons (home) and Harlequins (away).
However, according to Irishman Steenson – now in his fifth year with the Chiefs – it’s a period in time that...
Jason Shoemark has warned Exeter Chiefs can ill afford to make the same mistakes as they made at Bath on Sunday when Aviva Premiership leaders Saracens arrive in Devon this weekend (3pm). The Chiefs saw their recent winning streak come to an abrupt halt as Westcountry rivals Bath secured a 37-15 victory in the club's second LV= Cup fixture of the season. It was a disappointing outcome for the visitors, who were always up against it after leaking two converted tries inside the opening four minutes at the Recreation Ground. Although the Chiefs were much improved as the game went on -...
The hopes of Exeter Chiefs advancing into the latter stages of this season’s LV= Cup were dealt an untimely blow as Bath gained maximum reward from their encounter at The Rec.
A storming first half display from Gary Gold’s side lay the foundations for a powerful home win, which was sealed emphatically with tries from Matt Banahan, Matt Garvey, Martin Roberts and Charlie Beech.
Goalkickers George Ford and Tom Heathcote did the remainder of the damage as they kicked 17 points between them to ensure Bath’s unbeaten streak against the Chiefs...
Greg Bateman believes the battle for a starting spot in the Exeter Chiefs starting XV is helping to bring the best out in everyone at the Devon club. Fresh from making his competitive debut for Rob Baxter's side in their 19-4 LV= Cup win at home to holders Harlequins, the 24-year-old forward is now hoping to plot the downfall of rivals Bath in the same competition at the Recreation Ground this Sunday (1pm). However, that will be no formality as not only will the home side be looking to build on their own cup victory at Sale Sharks a week ago, but at the same time maintain their unbeaten...
Debutant Ceri Sweeney may have provided the spearhead to the attacking edge of the Exeter Chiefs on Saturday, but the Welshman was quick to pay tribute to the defensive efforts of his team-mates as they kicked-off their LV= Cup campaign on a high note.
The 33-year-old fly-half slotted 14 points, including the conversion to Sireli Naqelevuki's second half try, as the Chiefs saw off cup holders Harlequins 19-5 at a packed Sandy Park.
Having trailed to an early Paul Sackey try, the Chiefs powerfully hit back to not only record a notable scalp against Conor O'Shea's side, but...
Ceri Sweeney crowned his first-ever start in an Exeter Chiefs jersey by helping kick his new club to an opening round victory over holders Harlequins in this season’s LV= Cup. Signed in the summer from Cardiff Blues, the 33-year-old fly-half has had to play the waiting game to get his chance with the in-form Devon outfit – such has been the form of fellow playmakers Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade. However, given his chance to shine in the Anglo-Welsh tournament, Sweeney provided the guiding hand as his 14-point haul helped give the Chiefs the dream start. The former Welsh international...
After impressive showings in the Aviva Premiership and the Heineken Cup, Exeter Chiefs switch their attentions to the LV= Cup this afternoon with assistant forwards coach Rob Hunter insisting there is still “more to come” from his side this season.
A promising opening to the campaign has seen the Devon club not only position themselves within the Premiership’s top four clubs, but after two rounds of Europe they are also at the summit of a highly competitive Pool Two that also includes defending champions Toulon.
This weekend, however, both those competitions will be cast to...
This time last year Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell burst onto the scene in the LV= Cup – and he’s determined to remind everyone of his talents again this weekend against Harlequins. The 20-year-old enjoyed a superb season last time out with the Chiefs before helping England Under-20s lift the Junior World Championship for the first time in their history. Two tries in Exeter’s LV= Cup clash with London Welsh last season gave Nowell a platform and he went on to make his Aviva Premiership debut two weeks later. The Chiefs, though, eager to avoid burnout, have kept Nowell under lock and key so...
The Exeter Daily reports with great sadness tonight that former Exeter Chiefs skipper and hero, Tom Hayes, has been forced to retire from the game with immediate effect.
The 33 year-old forward from Limerick, Ireland has had his hand forced by an ongoing struggle with back trouble.
Hayes can walk away from Sandy Park with his head held high and with fond memories of his time with the Chiefs, and what a time he's had. Tom has been at the heart of the club's successes since he arrived in Exeter in 2008 and will undoubtedly be sorely missed by fellow players, the coaches and...
Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has today expressed his sadness at the news that former club captain Tom Hayes has been forced to retire from the game with immediate effect.
Irishman Hayes has confirmed a long-standing back injury has brought to an end his five-year stint with the Devon club – and that he will now be seeking a new challenge away from the professional game.
For Baxter, the departure of the experienced 33-year-old – who has amassed 136 games and six tries for the Chiefs – is certainly an untimely blow for the club, but instead of reflecting too much on...
