Sandy Park

With the LV= Cup put on the back burner until the New Year, Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he and his team are relishing getting back into the "bread and butter" of the Aviva Premiership tomorrrow.

After seven rounds of action in English rugby's top flight, the Chiefs not only find themselves happily positioned within the division's top four, but with five victories already accrued following a promising opening to the campaign.

This weekend, however, Devon's finest will be up against this season's pacesetters in Saracens, whose sole blemish in a so far impressive...

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...

Exeter Rugby Club chairman and chief executive Tony Rowe OBE has spoken of his delight after Sandy Park was crowned Rugby Venue of the Year at the prestigious Rugby Expo Awards held at Twickenham Stadium on Wednesday night. The popular multi-million pound Devon venue, which was built in 2006, took the prize ahead of the likes of Clermont Auvergne and Saracens, the latter of whom last season moved to their own new playing base at Allianz Park in Barnet. The Rugby Expo award is just the latest honour to be bestowed on Sandy Park, which as well as being named as one of the host venues for the...

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...

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...

Sandy Park, home to the Exeter Chiefs, has today been confirmed as the venue for the final of this year's LV= Cup competition. The announcement was made at the Devon venue ahead of the launch of the 2013/14 tournament by former England international and LV= Cup ambassador Lewis Moody. The final, which will take place on Sunday, March 16, 2014, promises to not only showcase some of the best up and coming rugby talent in the country but provide a truly memorable experience for supporters. This season, LV= will be showcasing how rugby can bring people together and create a "rugby family”....

Rob Baxter is never one to get carried away with victories, nor does he tend to go into his shell following any kind of setback.

Instead, the Exeter Chiefs head coach is happy for him and his team to 'carry on regardless' and right now that means 'more of the same' from the Devon club as they look to preserve their spot in the top four of the Aviva Premiership.

Four wins in six starts this term have put the Chiefs in a healthy position in English rugby's top flight and tomorrow night they will be looking to add the name of Sale Sharks to their list of seasonal scalps...