Bristol Bears Match Day Programme by Exeterchiefs

CHIEFS

VS BRISTOL BEARS

SAT 9 SEPT I SANDY PARK I KO 15:00

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TONY ROWE ........................... 5 ROB BAXTER .......................... 7 CLUB NEWS ...................... 8-11 JOSH HODGE FEATURE .......12-15 SHOP .............................. 16-17 MANAGEMENT TEAM .............. 19 MEN’S SQUAD ................. 21-26 TEAM LINE-UPS .............. 28-29 OPPOSITION .................... 31-33 FAST XV .............................. 35 COMMUNITY NEWS .......... 36-37 FOUNDATION UPDATE ............ 39 MATCH REPORT .............. 40-41 NIGEL WALROND ................... 45 MEN’S FIXTURES .................. 46 WOMEN’S FIXTURES ............. 47 TICKET INFORMATION ........... 49 WHAT’S ON AT SANDY PARK .. 50 CLUB PARTNERS ................... 52 Chief Executive & Chairman: Tony Rowe CBE, Hon LLD Deputy Chief Executive: Keiron Northcott Directors: Rob Baxter OBE, Steve Byrne, Mark Champion, Karime Hassan MBE, Brian Lodge, Chris Over Managing Director: Natasha Pavis Sales & Marketing Director: Lisa Duncan Finance Director: Nicky Teague Stadium Operations Director: Mark Isaacs Administration Director: Toni Percival Corporate Account Manager: Charlie Dunn Merchandise Manager: Emma Dingley VS CONTACTING THE CLUB Exeter Rugby Club Ltd Sandy Park Stadium, Sandy Park Way, Exeter EX2 7NN T: 01392 890 890 E: info@exeterchiefs.co.uk Ticket office hours: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm Match days from noon Office hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm @EXETERCHIEFS OFFICIAL EXETER CHIEFS @OFFICIALEXETERCHIEFS

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up the light park

WELCOME

JUST LIKE THAT, ANOTHER SEASON ARRIVES AT SANDY PARK, BRINGING WITH IT FRESH WAVES OF OPTIMISM, EXCITEMENT, AND OPENING MATCH NERVES FOR THE EXETER CHIEFS FAMILY.

It has been a summer of transition for our club, with several players moving on to pastures new, but as with all great stories, this next chapter will surely present opportunities for fresh faces looking to make a name for themselves on the big stage.

Exeter Chiefs of today are hungrier than ever to prove themselves worthy of the shirt, and I would like to take this opportunity wish good luck to all the players who will be taking to the Sandy Park pitch for the first time, whether they have joined us from another club or have made the journey through our academy, this is a fantastic occasion and an honour which I’m sure you will remember for a lifetime.

The Premiership Rugby Cup is a competition that the Exeter Chiefs have always taken seriously, and it was a source of great pride for me to see our youngsters claim the crown last year, a good indication of the talent that we have coming through our ranks.

It will also be wonderful to welcome some of our old foes from the Championship into

this year’s tournament. As a club, we are proud to have taken the long journey from the National League to the very pinnacle of the sport, and I believe that the new format will allow the talent and hard work of those clubs in the Championship an opportunity to shine against Premiership opposition. From a local derby against the Cornish Pirates, to an away trip to Jersey, this is an exciting tournament for Chiefs and I look forward to seeing staff and supporters from all clubs in the coming month.

Our attention this week is firmly on the visit of Bristol Bears, an opponent we have come to know well in recent seasons, including a pulsating pre-season friendly last Friday night that saw our Chiefs emerge victorious.

The Bears have always brought fantastic visiting fans to Sandy Park, and I’m sure we will be treated to a feast of running rugby from both sides.

I would also like to take this opportunity to wish the very best of luck to our players who will be featuring at this year’s Rugby World Cup. Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza will be on show for Wales, while Nika Abuladze takes the field for Georgia. From everyone at Exeter Chiefs, we wish them well on the biggest stage.

Welcome back to Sandy Park, thank you all for your continued support, and I am sure you will join me in wishing the team well for the upcoming season.

TONY ROWE CBE CEO AND CHAIRMAN EXETER RUGBY CLUB

ROB BAXTER OBE

WELCOME TO SANDY PARK FOR OUR FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON WHEN WE HOST OUR CLOSEST PREMIERSHIP NEIGHBOURS, BRISTOL.

As things have worked out, we played Bristol in a pre-season game last Friday in the return fixture for Bristol helping us out last season when our Premiership game against Wasps was cancelled. I must thank Pat Lam and Bristol again for helping us at short notice to replace that fixture and so we were very happy to make the short trip up the M5 to give the majority of our senior squad a 40-minute run out as the end stage of the pre-season.

Bristol also took the opportunity to play 30+ players and I genuinely think both teams got a lot out of the evening.

From our perspective, it was great to see so many of our new and younger players involved together as a team for the first time and there was a level of excitement around the changing room pre-match that I haven’t felt for quite a while. This flowed onto the pitch as we played with great energy and ambition and the team followed through on our promise to go after tries and look to play into space however we could. Our kicking variety was first class, and our set piece had the look of becoming a real weapon for us in the future.

The biggest and best challenge the game has given us has been selecting a 23 for today’s game. I know we have a lot of disappointed players who are hungry to play again but, we also have a few players who weren’t fit or not available who we want to look at and, of course, we can’t pick everybody. I have told all the players that their next opportunity is only a week away and if they train and play well, they give themselves the best chance of playing again.

We are taking the Premiership Rugby Cup very seriously as I expect our first Premiership 23 to be forged in this competition. That will mean we will make changes through these games, but this will be with the focus of building combinations and seeing which players are the readiest to play. We have a young and exciting group of players and I have a real expectation that you will be watching youthful and exciting games this season that you can enjoy supporting.

Finally, I would like to welcome Pat, his coaches and staff, players and of course the Bristol supporters to Sandy Park. We are a real, good rugby club, so let’s give them all a proper rugby family welcome.

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

TITLE WOULD GO HERE WHEN WRITTEN

WHAT A SEASON!

The last match of the last domestic season belonged to our women and their trip to Kingsholm to play Gloucester-Hartpury in the final of the Allianz Premier 15s. The fairytale ending did not materialise, but our women fought to the end with the final try coming from Ebony Jeffries in the 78th minute, converted by Gabby Cantorna.

The heartbreaking 34-19 result takes nothing away from the rest of the season that saw Exeter Chiefs Women beat Saracens Women in a breathtaking semi-final at Sandy Park, having finished second in the regular league, just one point behind Gloucester-Hartpury.

Our women won 15 out of 18 games last season achieving the highest point tally in the league with 904 and the best defensive record with just 205 points conceded. Consequently, they had the best points difference too with 699.

In the Allianz Cup, Exeter Chiefs Women came away as champions over Saracens with a 29-19 win at a raucous Sandy Park. This was the second time Chiefs women had won the trophy…which is commendable as the team was only formed three seasons ago!

Unsurprising then that Exeter has provided a raft of players for international honours with three - Maisey Allen, Merryn Doidge and Claudia MacDonald – recently called up to the Red Roses training squad ahead of back-to-back tests against Canada this month and the new global competition, WXV, in October. The first of this Summer Nations Series will be held at Sandy Park on Saturday 23 September – KO 14:30.

Mairi McDonald and Eilidh Sinclair have also been called up to the Scotland camp, and Edel McMahon for Ireland’s training squad.

There have been a few personnel changes over the summer with some players moving on, but head coach Susie Appleby has recruited a whole load more ahead of the 2023/24 season: Kate Smith from DMP Sharks, USA Eagles’ scrum-half Olivia Ortiz, Canada’s Alex Tessier, Japan’s Kanako Kobayashi, and Sammy Wong and Harriet MillarMills from Wasps.

Exeter Chiefs Women will play in a new league this year called Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR), replacing the Premier 15s. PWR will also manage the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby club competition, which starts in the autumn. And we wish them all the very best starting with their opening Allianz Cup game against Warriors Women at Sixways on Friday 22 September.

Exeter Chiefs Women’s first game at home is against Bristol Bears, also in the Allianz Cup, on Sunday, 1 October – KO 15:00. If you were swept away by the excitement of the women’s cup and league last season, why not consider a season ticket? At just £100 for an adult and £50 for U16s, that’s a real bargain for 11 home games of very competitive rugby.

WE NEED YOUR NEWS!

We have traditionally run a section in the match-day programme called Rugby Shorts, where we share stories from around the Premiership and the rugby world for your perusal. We would like to shake it up a little bit this season and would like to share some stories and photos from local rugby clubs too.

Please send us updates on standout results, new players, new coaches, clubhouse developments, county call-ups, etc. and photos to rugbyshorts@exeterchiefs.co.uk. We have two more programmes to come this month alone, so start sending your stories in now!

Please share this request with team managers, administrators and coaches at your club so we can hear about what you have been up to and extend our rugby family.

EVER WANTED TO BE A MASCOT?

This only applies to youngsters, we’re afraid, but please feel free to encourage your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, etc. to get involved!

All you need to do is become a Junior Chiefs member for just £25. Not only will you be put in the draw to become a matchday mascot and lead the team onto the pitch for either a men’s or women’s match; you’ll get a whole host of benefits too.

Our Junior Chiefs Membership 2023/2024 includes:

• 2 free tickets (1 x adult and 1 X child in south stand wings) to every men’s category C match - Premiership Rugby Cup and European games

• Sandy Park stadium tour

• Watch a professional training session and meet the players

• Exeter Chiefs Junior Chiefs trucker cap

• Exeter Chiefs Junior Chiefs lunch bag

• Membership card

• 10% off purchases at The Club Shop (in store only)

Again, we are sorry, but the Junior Chiefs Membership is designed for children up to the age of 12 years. It would make a great gift though for the young people in your life. Join here>

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NEW PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP FORMAT

The Premiership Rugby Cup has a completely new look for the 2023/24 season. For the first time ever, the competition features Premiership Rugby teams pitted against Championship clubs.

The pool stage fixtures all kick-off this weekend with the pick of the Premiership v Championship clashes seeing Bath travelling to Cornish Pirates, and Leicester Tigers opening their campaign against last season’s Championship giantkillers, Wirral-based Caldy.

Gallagher Premiership Rugby champions Saracens travel to Coventry for their first game of the competition, while Northampton Saints are heading to West London to take on Ealing Trailfinders for the first TV game of the 2023/24 season, broadcast live on TNT Sports (kick-off 13:00 tomorrow, September 10).

There are four pools featuring 22 teams. Exeter Chiefs are in pool C along with Bath, Cornish Pirates, Jersey Reds and London Scottish. There are six teams in pools A and B, so each team in the C and D pools of 5 will play a cross-pool match. Chiefs’ is today’s match against Bristol from pool D.

The following four rounds will take place on consecutive weekends from September 15-17 to October 6-8. Here’s Exeter Chiefs schedule:

• Bristol Bears (H) – today - KO 15:00

• Cornish Pirates (H) – 16/09/23 - KO 15:00

• Jersey Reds (A) – 23/09/23 - KO 14:00

• London Scottish (H) – 30/09/23 - KO 15:00

• Bath (A) – 07/10/23 - KO 14:00

The winners from each pool will progress to the semi-finals with the two highest ranked sides earning home semi-finals. In a change to former timetables, the semi-finals will now be held on the weekend of February 16-18 and the final on the weekend of March 15-17.

The Premiership Rugby Cup Final will be held at the venue of the highest ranked club in the final.

Please come and support Exeter Chiefs as none of their pool games are currently selected to be televised, but you can catch the following fixtures live on TNT Sports:

• Round 1 – Sunday, September 10, 13:00

– Ealing Trailfinders v Northampton Saints

• Round 2 – Saturday, September 16, 13:00

– Bath v Jersey Reds

• Round 3 – Friday, September 22, 19:45

– Gloucester v Harlequins

• Round 4 – Sunday, October 1, 14:30

– Harlequins v Saracens

• Round 5 – Sunday, October 8, 14:00

– to be picked after the first two rounds

POSITION: FULL-BACK/WING

HEIGHT: 1.89M (6FT 2IN)

WEIGHT: 85KG (13ST 3LBS)

The fact Hodge has made 43 appearances and scored seven tries for the club is testament to his talent. Afterall, he had a certain former Scotland captain Stuart Hogg standing in his way for much of his career with Chiefs, while Jack Nowell, Olly Woodburn and Tom O’Flaherty were hardly pushovers either!

With Nowell off to ply his trade with La Rochelle and Hogg announcing his retirement, the full-back shirt is there for the taking with a few other players keeping a weather eye on it too! Today’s season-opening Premiership Cup game against Bristol Bears is a great place to start. Known for their attacking style, the full-back will definitely see some action at Sandy Park this afternoon.

Just to rewind the clock a bit, this South West derby is a long drive away from Hodge’s northern roots. A Lancaster lad, Hodge’s early rugby years were spent at Sedburgh School when he was not kicking a football around for Preston North End’s academy team or casually entering a decathlon with absolutely no training! His rugby career took off at Newcastle Falcons where he was part of their academy and went on to represent England U18s, U19s and U20s before heading south.

However, Hodge’s start at Sandy Park was overshadowed by Covid. Remember when we watched televised games with empty stands? It also meant minimal contact with the rest of the squad away from training and match days, but now he is more than settled.

Hodge remembers: “For a young up-andcoming player, Falcons was a good club for me. They people there and players were really friendly. A lot of my friends are still up there. I love it here now. At first, it was weird because I came down in Covid times and I could not mix with anyone, and I did not have many friends outside the club. I have made good friends now and it’s all good.”

AMID A SQUAD OF FRESH-FACED PLAYERS READY TO MAKE THEIR MARK ON THE 2023/24 SEASON, JOSH HODGE IS STILL A YOUNGSTER, BUT HE HAS PACKED PLENTY OF EXPERIENCE INTO HIS THREE SEASONS AT SANDY PARK ALREADY AND IS LOOKING TO BUILD ON THIS TO MAKE THE 15 SHIRT HIS OWN.

FOR ALL OF US THOUGH, THERE IS A CHANCE FOR A NEW LEGACY TO BE MADE. THIS SEASON IS REALLY EXCITING, AND I THINK WE WILL GET BETTER AND BETTER AS THE SEASON PROGRESSES.

With a debut against today’s opposition Bristol Bears, Hodge’s first season saw him through the Covid era where Chiefs had initially been dismissed for not being strong enough.

Hodge’s second season saw him wrestling for game time in the back three while last season was entirely more satisfying.

“I got quite a few games under my belt to help me really kick on. Hoggy obviously was in and out a bit, but I still got a good number of games; really consistent game time to get the chemistry that is created when you play week in, week out with the team.”

New era now though, with a few players moving on to rugby pitches new. The sense of opportunity has not been lost on Hodge, not just for himself but for everyone in the squad.

“I have really got to keep focussed on taking that number 15 jersey for good. For all of us though, there is a chance for a new legacy to be made. This season is really exciting, and I think we will get better and better as the season progresses.”

Today’s game is a chance to see how this new group performs in front of a home crowd in a season that begins with the Premiership Rugby Cup right at the start to accommodate the 10th Rugby World Cup that began in France last is night. It is the perfect competition to integrate new players into the squad and to introduce them to the Sandy Park massive. Playing Bristol is also a tasty prospect!

“Bristol are a really attacking side. Our defence must be 100%. We have got to be on form and trying our very best today.”

BRISTOL ARE A REALLY ATTACKING SIDE. OUR DEFENCE MUST BE 100%. WE HAVE GOT TO BE ON FORM AND TRYING OUR VERY BEST TODAY.

2023•24 CUP KIT

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TONY WALKER

TEAM MANAGER

ROB GIBSON

ACADEMY MANAGER

ADRIAN HARRIS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS

MEDICINE

JAMIE FULTON

HEAD OF MEDICAL SERVICES

STEVE HAW

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

SCOTT MUNRO

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

EXETER CHIEFS

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

LEAD ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

JONNY MARKS

ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ROB SHEEHAN

UNIVERSITY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

DAN FEASY

JUNIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ANDY DAVIES

SPORTS REHABILITATOR

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

LOUISE PASSMORE MEDICAL SECRETARY

JOHN GARMIN

CLUB DOCTOR

MARK TWIGGS

HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

ROB BEDDARD

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

NICK COX

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING REHABILITATOR

LES BARROW

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JAMIE NEMMER-THAYER

UNIVERSITY HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JACK PERRY

UNIVERSITY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY OMAR MOUNEIMNE DEFENCE COACH RICKY PELLOW SKILLS COACH HAYDN THOMAS SENIOR COACH ROSS MCMILLAN SCRUM COACH GARETH STEENSON SENIOR COACH ALI HEPHER HEAD COACH ROB HUNTER FORWARDS COACH

MANAGEMENT

2023•24 MEN’S SQUAD NICK ALISSON TBC TBC 22/02/2005 BACK NIKA ABULADZE 120KG (18ST 12LBS) 1.86M (6FT 1IN) 29/10/1995 PROP KEITA ANDO 109KG (7ST 2LBS) 1.85M (6FT) 23/04/2005 PROP NIALL ARMSTRONG 82KG (12ST 12LBS) 1.79M (5FT 10IN) 08/10/1999 SCRUM HALF KOFI BARTON-BYFIELD 82KG (12ST 12LB) 1.71M (5FT 7INS) 15/09/2002 WING JOE BAILEY 108KG (15ST 4LBS) 2M (6FT 6INS) 04/07/2004 LOCK WILL BECCONSALL 84KG (13ST 2LBS) 1.81M (5FT 11INS) 20/12/2002 SCRUM HALF OSCAR BECKERLEG 100KG (15ST 10LBS) 2.02M (6FT 7IN) 05/11/2005 LOCK CHARLIE BELL 109KG (17ST 2LBS) 1.92M (6FT 3IN) 07/04/2005 LOCK/ BACK-ROW ALFIE BELL 116KG/18ST 3LBS 2.03M/6FT 8INS 04/12/2003 LOCK OLI BURROWS 109KG (17ST 2LBS) 1.87M (6FT 1IN) 16/05/2002 HOOKER TOM CAIRNS 79KG (12ST 6LBS) 1.69M (5FT 6INS) 19/06/2002 SCRUM HALF 21

KIAN GENTRY 94KG (14ST 11LBS) 1.87M (6FT 1IN) 27/03/2003 CENTRE DAN FROST 95KG (14ST 13LBS) 1.72M (5FT 8INS) 24/04/1997 HOOKER JONNY GRAY 124KG (19ST 7LBS) 1.99M (6FT 6INS) 14/03/1994 LOCK BEN GRUBB 110KG (17ST 4LBS) 1.90M (6FT 3INS) 10/11/2002 BACK-ROW TOBY CLINCH 95KG (14ST 13LBS) 1.82M (6FT) 14/10/2004 CENTRE RICHARD CAPSTICK 114KG (17ST 13LBS) 1.96M (6FT 5INS) 13/02/2000 BACK-ROW AIDON DAVIS 111KG (17ST 6LBS) 1.91M (6FT 2INS) 29/04/1994 BACK-ROW OLLIE DEVOTO 105KG (16ST 7LBS) 1.93M (6FT 4INS) 22/09/1993 CENTRE JAMES GILLESPIE JACK DUNNE 120KG (18ST 10LBS) 2.03M (6FT 8IN) 21/11/1998 LOCK LUCAS DORRELL 99KG (15ST 8LBS) 1.88M (6FT 2IN) 09/10/2001 BACK-ROW IMMANUEL FEYI-WABOSO 95KG (14ST 13LBS) 1.82M (6FT) 20/12/2002 CENTRE/ WING GREG FISILAU 107KG (16ST 11LBS) 1.86M (6FT 1IN) 07/09/2003 BACK-ROW BEN HAMMERSLEY 92KG (14ST 6LBS) 1.82M (6FT) 20/05/2003 WING LOUIE GULLEY 99KG (15ST 8LBS) 1.83M (6FT) 08/05/2005 HOOKER IESTYN HARRIS 103KG (16ST 3LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 24/11/1998 HOOKER JOE HAWKINS 97KG (15ST 3LBS) 1.74M (5FT 7IN) 1.83M (6FT) CENTRE 22

BILLY KEAST 112KG (17ST 8LBS) 1.83M (6FT) 24/11/1996 PROP MATT JOHNSON 132KG (20ST 11LBS) 1.93M (6FT 4INS) 21/11/1997 PROP JAMES KENNY 118KG (18ST 8LBS) 1.83M (6FT) 26/05/1999 PROP JUNIOR KPOKU 117KG (18ST 5LBS) 2.04M (6FT 8INS) 09/10/2005 LOCK TOM HENDRICKSON 102KG (16ST) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 09/01/1994 CENTRE WILL HAYDON-WOOD 85KG (13ST 5LBS) 1.76M (5FT 9IN) 27/10/2000 FLY-HALF ALEC HEPBURN 111KG/17ST 6LBS 1.85M/6FT 1IN 30/03/1993 PROP HARRY HOCKING 107KG (16ST 11LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 19/02/2002 HOOKER JAMES GILLESPIE JACK INNARD 108KG (17ST) 1.79M (5FT 10INS) 07/03/1995 HOOKER JOSH HODGE 85KG (13ST 5LBS) 1.86M (6FT 2INS) 23/05/2000 FULL-BACK JOSH IOSEFA-SCOTT 137KG (21ST 8LBS) 1.90M (6FT 3INS) 16/07/1996 PROP KANE JAMES 92KG (14ST 6LBS) 1.83M (6FT) 26/03/2005 BACK-ROW DAFYDD JENKINS 117KG/18ST 5LBS 2.01M/6FT 7INS 12/05/2002 LOCK ORSON JAMES 82KG (12ST 12LBS) 1.80M (5FT 10INS) 31/05/2004 SCRUMHALF IWAN JENKINS 86KG (13ST 7LBS) 1.73M (5FT 8INS) 13/03/2003 FLY-HALF DAN JOHN 85KG (13ST 5LBS) 1.80M (5FT 10INS) 10/04/2001 CENTRE/ WING JAMES GILLESPIE 23

ETHAN ROOTS 113KG (17ST 11LBS) 1.88M (6FT 2INS) 11/10/1999 BACK-ROW CHARLIE MCCAIG 96KG (15ST 1LB) 1.89M (6FT 2INS) 24/01/2003 CENTRE SAM MAUNDER 85KG (13ST 5LBS) 1.82M (6FT) 22/03/2000 SCRUMHALF SOL MOODY 100KG (15ST 10LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 16/04/2005 HOOKER JACOB MORRIS 110KG (17ST 4LBS) 1.81M (5FT 11INS) 16/04/2000 PROP FRANKIE NOWELL 86KG (13ST 7LBS) 1.80M (5FT 10INS) 22/11/2002 WING/ CENTRE MAX NOREY 106KG (16ST 9LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 08/05/1999 HOOKER EOIN O’CONNOR 120KG (18ST 12LBS) 2.01M (6FT 7INS) 21/07/2000 LOCK RORY O’LOUGHLIN 95KG (14ST 13LBS) 1.88M (6FT 2INS) 21/01/1994 WING/ CENTRE LEWIS PEARSON 118KG (18ST 8LBS) 1.90M (6FT 3INS) 26/10/1999 LOCK/ BACK-ROW EHREN PAINTER 137KG (21ST 8LBS) 1.93M (6FT 4INS) 21/03/1998 PROP FIN RICHARDSON 118KG (18ST 8LBS) 1.84M (6FT) 16/09/1998 PROP CAMPBELL RIDL TBC TBC 02/02/2005 CENTRE CHESTER RIBBONS 97KG/15ST 3LBS 1.91M/6FT 2INS 30/01/2002 CENTRE MATT POSTLETHWAITE 116KG (18ST 3LBS) 1.95M (6FT 5INS) 10/01/1996 LOCK ARTHUR RELTON 87KG (13ST 9LBS) 189M (6FT 2IN) 06/07/2001 WING 24

LOUIE SINCLAIR 88KG (13ST 2LBS) 1.88M (6FT 2INS) 12/09/2004 FLY-HALF PATRICK SCHICKERLING 125KG (19ST 9LBS) 1.82M (6FT) 16/10/1998 PROP SCOTT SIO 127KG (19ST 13LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 16/10/1991 PROP HARVEY SKINNER 92KG (14ST 6LBS) 1.89M (6FT 2INS) 31/12/1997 FLY-HALF JOE SNOW 87KG (13ST 9LBS) 1.86M (6FT 1IN) 12/11/1998 SCRUMHALF HENRY SLADE 96KG (15ST 1LB) 1.91M (6FT 2INS) 19/03/1993 CENTRE DANNY SOUTHWORTH 117KG (18ST 5LBS) 1.81M (5FT 11INS) 05/04/1999 PROP MARCUS STREET 119KG (18ST 10LBS) XXXM (XFT XIN) 02/06/1999 PROP STU TOWNSEND 94KG (14ST 11LBS) 1.75M (5FT 8INS) 10/11/1995 SCRUM HALF CORY TEAGUE 115KG (18ST 1LB) 1.95M (6FT 5INS) 11/09/1999 LOCK CHRIST TSHIUNZA 114KG (17ST 13LBS) 1.98M (6FT 5INS) 01/09/2002 LOCK/ BACK-ROW JEREMY TUIMA 128KG (20ST 2LBS) 1.89M (6FT 2IN) 25/04/2005 CENTRE JACQUES VERMEULEN 120KG (18ST 12LBS) 1.96M (6FT 5INS) 02/08/1995 BACK-ROW RUSI TUIMA 99KG (15ST 8LBS) 1.95M (6FT 5INS) 21/05/2000 BACK-ROW ROSS VINTCENT 102KG (16ST) 1.87M (6FT 1IN) 06/05/2002 BACK-ROW ZACK WIMBUSH 107KG (16ST 11LBS) 1.96M (6FT 5INS) 24/10/2003 CENTRE

JAMES GILLESPIE

FINN WORLEY-BRADY 99KG (15ST 8LBS) 1.88M (6FT 2INS) 26/10/2004 BACK-ROW OLLY WOODBURN ELLIOTT YOUNG 98KG (15ST 6LBS) 1.88M (6FT 2INS) 18/11/1991 104KG (16ST 5LBS) 1.83M (6FT) 14/03/2004 WING HOOKER TOM WYATT 93KG (14ST 9LBS) 1.87M (6FT 1IN) 14/12/1999 CENTRE JACK YEANDLE 109KG (17ST 2LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 22/12/1989 HOOKER To find out how you can sponsor one of the players Contact Charlie Dunn on 01392 890879 or email him at charliedunn@exeterchiefs.co.uk EXETER CHIEFS PLAYERS 26

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1. SCOTT SIO

2. JACK YEANDLE (C)

3. EHREN PAINTER

4. MATT POSTLEWAITE

5. LEWIS PEARSON

6. ETHAN ROOTS

7. JACQUES VERMEULEN

8. GREG FISILAU

9. TOM CAIRNS

10. HARVEY SKINNER

11. TOM WYATT

12. JOE HAWKINS

13. HENRY SLADE

14. BEN HAMMERSLEY

15. JOSH HODGE

REPS

16. DAN FROST 17. BILLY KEAST

18. PATRICK SCHICKERLING 19. RUSI TUIMA

20. ROSS VINTCENT 21. NIALL ARMSTRONG

22. WILL HAYDON-WOOD 23. TOM HENDRICKSON

1. ANDREW TURNER

2. FRED DAVIES (C)

3. JONATHAN BENZ-SALOMON

4. JOSH CAULFIELD

5. JOE OWEN

6. GEORGE TAYLOR

7. MACENZZIE DUNCAN

8. PADDY PEARCETOM CAIRNS

9. SAM WOLSTENHOLME

10. SAM WORSLEY

11. AIDAN BOSHOFF

12. DYLAN POWER

13. HARRY ASCHERL

14. ISAAC CAMPBELL-WU

15. MATTHEW JONES

REPS

16. TOMAS GWILLIAM 17. TOM SIMS

18. JIMMY HALLIWELL 19. ED HARVEY

20. KOFI CRIPPS 21. OSCAR LENNON

22. TOBY BAKER, 23. SAMI HAMID

TODAY’S OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: SARA COX

ASSISTANT REFEREES: ANTHONY WOODTHORPE, JAMES PIDDING

FOURTH OFFICIAL: KEVIN WILLIAMS

TIMEKEEPER: PAUL BOX

EXETER CHIEFS WILL PLAY BRISTOL BEARS NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES THIS SEASON, WITH A PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY ALREADY UNDER THEIR BELTS LAST FRIDAY. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CLASSIC MATCHES BETWEEN THE TWO SOUTH WEST SIDES, AND WE ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING OUR NEIGHBOURS TO SANDY PARK.

ELLIS GENGE, MAX MALINS, AND KYLE SINKLER ARE WITH ENGLAND, WHILE CHRIS VUI AND STEVEN LUATUA WILL BE PLAYING FOR SAMOA. VUI IS ALSO SAMOA’S CAPTAIN. KALAVETI RAVOUVOU WILL PLAY FOR FIJI.

This will give other Bristol players the chance to make their mark in the Premiership Rugby Cup and Gallagher Premiership for the first two months of the season, including new players Kieran Marmion, Gabriel Oghre and Sam Wolstenholme from Connacht, Bourdeaux-Begles and Leicester Tigers respectively. Wolstenholme has already got off to a good start by getting on the scoresheet in last week’s preseason game.

Bears have also bolstered their ranks by offering professional terms to six members of the U18s side that finished fourth in the 2022/23 Academy League: Kenzie Jenkins, Louis Trevett, Isaac Campbell-Wu, Tom Ormsby, Tom Gardner and Ollie Thraves.

Bristol Bears finished ninth in the Gallagher Premiership last season and were third in their Premiership Rugby Cup pool. They topped their pool in the European Challenge Cup but were beaten in the knock-out stages by Montpellier.

This is an ambitious side; they will be looking for more from 2023/24.

After the two-teams per side, try-fest of last week, we are back to business this weekend with the start of the Premiership Rugby Cup. Chiefs are reigning champions so will want to open their account well, but with most clubs fielding full strength sides rather than focusing on their younger players for this competition, both sides will be treating this fixture with the utmost respect.

Despite the Rugby World Cup absentees, Bristol still have a host of stars in the mix with some heavyweight talent in the pack and some quick feet in the backline. And they just love to attack! It should be an entertaining afternoon in this cross-pool match between pool C and D sides.

AS WITH MOST PREMIERSHIP CLUBS, BRISTOL WILL HAVE A FEW MISSING TODAY WITH SIX PLAYERS AWAY ON RUGBY WORLD CUP DUTY.

PAT LAM

As the former skipper of Samoa, the Rugby World Cup must bring back some fine memories for Bristol Bear’s head coach. He played in three world cups in total – 1991, 1995 and 1999. The latter saw an epic interception and run from his own 22 that resulted in his last try for his country in a victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Since hanging up his boots, with spells at Newcastle Falcons and Northampton Saints, the Auckland-born No 8 moved into coaching starting under Sir Ian McGeechan for Scotland, before going back Down Under to Auckland Blues and then Samoa. He was then lured back north to oversee Connacht and to take them to their first major trophy in the 2015/15 Pro12.

Lam has been at Bristol Bears since 2017, winning the 2019/20 European Rugby Challenge Cup with a victory over Toulon.

Our one to watch for the Bears today is fly-half Sam Worsley. This 19-year-old is a homegrown player who switched from Clifton College to the Bristol Senior Academy squad and he will be making his debut first team start this afternoon.

Away from Ashton Gate, Worsley recovered from injury to lead the Bears U18s to a sensational national title win in 2022 before winning England U18s honours. He ended up starting three times during the U18s Six Nations.

Announced as part of the England U20s 32-man squad ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, Worsley was named on bench for the final game against Ireland last season. He will be looking to get some action this season to extend his honours tally.

Worsley has already played in two Premiership Rugby Cups for Bristol but will be eager to prove what he can do from the start.

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY: ONE TO WATCH: SAM WORSLEY 33

WE PUT HARVEY THROUGH 15

QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS TO SETTLE HIM INTO THE NEW SEASON.

1. First team you played rugby for?

North Petherton RFC

2. First influential coach?

My dad

3. Have you played in any other position?

Inside and outside centre, full-back and No 8

4. Rugby hero/inspiration?

Jonny Wilkinson

5. First professional game?

Bristol away in 2020

6. Best away ground?

La Rochelle last season

7. Best rugby memory?

My Premiership debut and the winning the County Cup with my school

8. Rugby best friends?

Billy Keast and Sean Lonsdale

9. Nickname?

Marius - because I look like one of the Sandy Park chefs

10. Favourite takeaway?

Fish and chips

11. Favourite book?

Peter Kay’s autobiography The Sound of Laughter

12. Sports teams you follow away from rugby?

I do not really follow any but like football and golf

13. Tea or coffee?

Coffee – flat white

14. Last thing you listened to?

Drake’s One Dance

15. Favourite film?

Fast 5 from the Fast & Furious franchise

EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF MATCH-DAY!

WE ARE BACK AFTER A BUSY SUMMER OF RUGBY CAMPS AND OUR FIRST RESIDENTIAL AT BLUNDELL’S, BUT MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK. THIS WEEK, IT’S ALL ABOUT OUR MATCH-DAY EXPERIENCES.

You may know all about the Super Saturday or Sunday match-day experiences for the men’s games, but did you know we run them for the women’s games too?

That means you can choose from matches from all the following competitions:

• GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP

• HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

• GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP

• ALLIANZ PREMIER 15S

• ALLIANZ CUP

No matter what game you choose, this is a great opportunity to experience life behind the scenes on a match-day with a tour under the West Grandstand. You will also benefit from excellent hands-on coaching from our community staff and players.

This is all before watching our men or women in action from the South Stand to inspire you for your own match-day. You provide the guard of honour for when both teams run out and you

will also take part in a half-time parade when you and your teammates get the chance to lap up the famous match-day atmosphere.

You will also go home with a sports bag, bottle and mini flag.

If your school, club or group wants to get involved in one of our match-day experiences, simply choose a fixture here. Don’t delay though as some of our march-day experiences have already sold out.

Please get in contact with so he can sort out all the details for you. Let us know your preferred match and toughly how many adults and child tickets you think you will need. We just ask that at least 10 of you want to come and join us.

richardbright@exeterchiefs.co.uk

Until then, it is great to back at Sandy Park today. Hope you enjoy the match.

ARON STRUMINSKI HEAD OF COMMUNITY 36

37 COMMUNITY NEWS

There may not have been matches in the last few months but that does not mean the Exeter Chiefs Foundation has not been hard at work trying to improve the prosperity of the communities we serve by making donations that make people’s lives better.

The latest recipients were the Exeter Sea Cadets who received funding for a new minibus. The Exeter Sea Cadets offers weekly sessions to young people aged between 10 and 18 years of age from all ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

As a cherished pillar of youth development, the Sea Cadets can now use invaluable asset to overcome transportation challenges and amplify their community impact.

With the capacity to accommodate a larger number of cadets, the minibus will revolutionise the Sea Cadets’ approach to training and events, while enhancing their ability to participate in local events.

Exeter Chiefs Foundation trustee Marc Astley said:

“This minibus opens up a world of opportunities for the Exeter Sea Cadets. It aligns perfectly with their commitment to inclusivity and community engagement. The Foundation is proud to be able to support such a wonderful local charity.”

Just to remind you, the Exeter Chiefs Foundation is a charity that exists with the sole aim of helping other charities. All the money we raise is donated to worthy causes in and around the city with a focus on supporting tangible investments, such as building and renovation works, play equipment, IT suites, vehicles, community kitchen hubs, specialised access equipment and so on.

Founded by our very own club CEO and chairman Tony Rowe MBE, the team of trustees is drawn from the Chiefs’ board of directors and the Exeter business community.

As well as deciding on how the charity’s money is shared, the trustees organise several fundraising events each year. The latest is our charity boxing night between the Royal Marines and The Met Police on Thursday 19 October. Please join us if you can.

Now to today’s bucker collectors. Please give generously if you can.

The RD&E Charity provides safe, compassionate and high-quality integrated health and care services in Exeter and across East and Mid-Devon to around 450,000 people. One of the first NHS foundation trusts nationally, we are directly accountable to and work hand- inhand with local people and communities.

Our mission is to make the exceptional possible. We fundraise over and above what the NHS is able to provide to make a real difference to our patients, their families and our amazing staff that treat them.

RD&E Charity objectives:

Providing special high-tech equipment for saving lives

Providing extra support for patients and carers in the hospital and out in the community to enhance well-being

Additional training opportunities for staff development to enhance patient services and staff welfare

Often, it’s simply the little touches which help people get better, faster when they come to our great hospital.

EXETERCHIEFSFOUNDATION.ORG.UK

MATCH REPORT

31 36

Tries: Lane, Thacker, Bates, Wolstenholme, Gwillam Cons: MacGinty, Sheedy (2) Tries: Penalty, Wyatt, Cairns, Schickerling, Bartin-Byfield, Vintcent Cons: Skinner (2)

BRISTOL BEARS V EXETER CHIEFS

MATCH STATS

TOP PERFORMERS

CARRIES TACKLES CLEAR OUTS

9 9 21

8 7 21

7 7 18

Exeter Chiefs first half: J Hodge; B Hammersley, T Hendrickson, O Devoto, T Wyatt; H Skinner, T Cairns; S Sio, J Yeandle (c), E Painter, M Postlethwaite, L Pearson (A Bell 35), E Roots, R Capstick, G Fisilau

Exeter Chiefs second half: C McCaig; K Barton-Byfield, R O’Laughlin, C Ribbons, A Relton; W Haydon-Wood, W Becconsall (J Snow 75); B Keast, M Norey, P Schickerling; J Dunne, R Tuima (J Kpoku 77), A Davis (K James 77), J Vermeulen (c), R Vintcent

Referee: S Cox Attendance: 2,500

50% 50% 47% 53% N/A 117 5 6 TRIES TACKLES TERRITORY POSSESSION

DAVIS

BYFIELD ROSS VINTCENT

CHESTER RIBBONS AIDON DAVIS RUSI TUIMA

AIDON

KOFI BARTON-

ARTHUR RELTON WILL BECCONSALL P SCHICKERLING

Proud Sponsors of the Exeter Chiefs exeter.ac.uk 2023EEG069

FROM THE PRESS BOX

SO HERE WE ARE AGAIN AT THE START OF WHAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SEASONS FOR THE SPORT OF RUGBY UNION IN MANY A YEAR.

I have sensed over recent months that a lot of ardent followers of the sport are falling out of love with the game, and this situation needs to be turned around quickly before they are lost to the sport for good.

They are disillusioned over a system that allowed three Premiership clubs to go to the wall last season – Wasps, Worcester and London Irish (can you imagine the uproar there would have been if that had been allowed to happen to three Premier League football clubs!)

They are disillusioned at the new tackle height laws that are turning the game into a complete mess.

They are disillusioned over the fact that referees no longer seem to know what they are trying to implement, and the never-ending list of incidents where players are yellow carded – which are then upgraded to red cards by a disciplinary panel; or given a red card that decides the outcome of a match, which is subsequently downgraded or totally wiped out by those same disciplinary chiefs. And if all that is not enough, if you are an English rugby fan, you are disillusioned with a national team that is about as exciting as watching paint dry, and is struggling to buy a win.

A successful Rugby World Cup in France in the next few weeks has never been more crucial – one where all the talk is about the quality of the rugby that is on show, and not tackle heights and red cards. Otherwise, I fear this great sport of ours has a pretty bleak future.

Despite all that pessimism, on an Exeter Chiefs front, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the months that lie ahead.

There is understandable sadness over the departure of the likes of Jack Nowell, Sam and Joe Simmonds, Jannes Kirsten, Luke Cowan-Dickie and several others I could mention.

But instead, there is a whole batch of talented youngsters we can look forward to watching as Rob Baxter and his fellow coaches build a new team that they hope will go on to win more trophies for the club in the future.

The beginning of a new era on the pitch seems to have given everyone a lift, and it will be very interesting to see what this team can achieve over the next nine months or so.

As with any young side, consistency will no doubt be the biggest problem and there will be good days to savour and bad days to endure over the course of the season, but that is all part of the learning process.

With the World Cup the focus for the next month or so, it is good to see a Premiership Rugby Cup competition introduced to fill the opening weeks of the campaign, with a chance to see some different teams after the decision was made to include Championship clubs.

I am particularly looking forward to the renewal of old rivalries with Cornish Pirates next weekend. But before that we have a very tasty opener today against Bristol Bears.

Chiefs beat them in a pre-season friendly at Ashton Gate last weekend, but that will count for very little as the real action gets underway.

NIGEL WALROND

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

2023/24 MEN’S FIXTURES

2023/24 WOMEN’S FIXTURES

*FIXTURES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

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EXETER CHIEFS V CORNISH PIRATES

SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER

KICK-OFF 15.00

RED ROSES V CANADA WOMEN

SATURDAY23 SEPTEMBER

KICK-OFF 14.30

EXETER CHIEFS V LONDON SCOTTISH

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER

KICK-OFF 15.00

WEST CENTRE

WEST wings

south stand centre

south stand wings

east terrace centre

east terrace wings

north terrace centre

north terrace wings

east stand upper wings

east stand upper centre

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD ADULT STUDENT CHILD £80.00 £80.00 £80.00 £70.00 £70.00 £70.00 £56.00 £40.00 £26.00 £40.00 £30.00 £20.00 £47.00 £35.00 £21.00 £44.00 £30.00 £20.00 £44.00 £32.00 £19.00 £40.00 £28.00 £17.00 £65.00 £65.00 £65.00 £75.00 £75.00 £75.00

WHAT’S ON AT SANDY PARK

WE HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF EVENTS COMING UP AT SANDY PARK WITH SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

FIGHT NIGHT

WE KICK-OFF WITH OUR FIGHT NIGHT. BEING HELD ON THURSDAY 19 OCTOBER, WE ARE RAISING MONEY FOR THE EXETER CHIEFS FOUNDATION AND THE ROYAL MARINES CHARITY.

The evening will feature bouts between some of the finest amateur fighters in the country as the Metropolitan Police Boxing Team come up against the Royal Marines.

You have the chance to be ringside for every punch as we combine a black-tie event with the thrills and spills of a top-class fight night. The evening will include a sumptuous three-course dinner.

Tickets are £85 per person or £800 for a table of 10.

COMEDY NIGHT

Save the date for this one as we bring the laughter back to Sandy Park on Friday 10 November.

THE CHRISTMAS LUNCH

We then bring together the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and Wooden Spoon Devon for this year’s Christmas Lunch on Thursday 14 December.

Join us at this fun-filled festive afternoon to celebrate the Christmas season in style. We are thrilled to be joined by former England prop and TV pundit David Flatman as our host for the afternoon.

The event will start at 12pm. Guests will be treated to a sumptuous festive three-course meal. We recommend you book your carriages for 8pm.

Tickets are £85 per person or £800 for a table of 10.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2023

After our most popular festive season to date in 2022, we’re opening bookings early. Enquire today to make sure you don’t miss out on hosting your Christmas Party at Exeter’s premier events centre.