London Scottish: Match Day Programme

PROUDLY SERVING THE TRADES & DIY CUSTOMERS SINCE 1770.

WELCOME

WE ARE INTO OUR FOURTH WEEKEND OF THE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP COMPETITION AND OUR THIRD HOME GAME OF THE SEASON.

These matches have given Rob and the coaches some meaningful games to get their teeth into and to play against opposition they normally do not face. It has also given the coaching team a chance to see our new players in action away from the practice field.

With our new players in mind, please do come and say hello to some of them at our ‘Meet the New Players’ event being held here on Wednesday 1 November. It will give you an opportunity to find out more about their lives before they became Exeter Chiefs and find out how they are settling in here. I know you will give them a warm welcome.

Thanks also for the rousing support you gave the Red Roses and Canada women’s teams last weekend. The Sandy Park faithful have shown they fully appreciate the women’s game and last Saturday was no different. A special mention to our very own Maisy Allen, who made her England debut. We were all proud to see you take the field wearing the red rose.

While we have hosted four matches at Sandy Park in a very busy month, a rugby club cannot just rely on its match-day revenue. The Sandy Park team continues their excellent work behind the

scenes to keep the conference centre full all week and to offer events that may be of interest to supporters and non-supporters alike, while at times, raising some charitable funds along the way, Our Fight Night is all but sold out, while our Comedy Night and Sandy Park Sessions offer something a little different to make full use of our facilities. Please ask a member of the Sandy Park staff if you want to know more, but there are plenty of posters around the ground too.

Back to rugby. In two weeks' time, we will see the return of the Gallagher Premiership with the champions Saracens coming to Sandy Park. We have seen some epic battles between our two sides over the years and we always look forward to Saracens and their supporters coming to the South West.

While you still may be in Premiership Rugby Cup or even Rugby World Cup mode, don’t forget about the league and get your tickets for this very popular fixture. The kick-off is at the earlier time of 1.30pm and the World Cup semi-finals will be on the big screens in our bars afterwards, so you do not have to miss out on any rugby.

Lastly, welcome to all the players, coaches, Stephen Pearson, Nick Grecian and the rest of the board from London Scottish here today.

TONY ROWE CBE

CHAIRMAN AND CEO

EXETER RUGBY CLUB

ROB BAXTER OBE

THE VISIT OF LONDON SCOTTISH TODAY SIGNALS ROUND FOUR OF

So far, we have gone well over the course of each 80 minutes and the players have had to face up different challenges in each game. We have also had the opportunity to see how some new things look in competitive games, as well as work on areas of match fitness and, of course, we have great footage to review with each player.

In the last couple of games, it has been great to be re-involved with the Championship, our old rivals, Cornish Pirates brought some great support with them two weeks ago and this added to a really good atmosphere at the ground and helped make it a big day. The Pirates put us under some early scoreboard pressure with a couple of breakout tries but we established a good amount of territorial and possession pressure over the final 60 minutes to take control and score some good tries.

Last week, we visited Jersey for the first time and again had a very enjoyable weekend. Jersey are a very competitive team and certainly punished some of our ill-discipline early in the game. To be fair to the team, most of our penalties came from over enthusiasm which is more positive than the weak penalties that can happen and so once we channelled our energy correctly, we once again gained a good amount of control over a 50-minute period to score several quickfire tries which took the game away from Jersey.

We stayed over on Saturday night which allowed the team to have some social time together and with a couple of world cup games also being shown on Saturday afternoon and evening, it ended up being a very good visit.

Hopefully, we can maintain our form with a slightly more changed up team today and they can all take the opportunity to improve as players and as a team, and we can enjoy a good game of rugby played with passion and excitement.

Finally, I would like to welcome the staff, players and supporters of London Scottish and hope they enjoy their day at Sandy Park.

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

THIS SEASON’S PREMIERSHIP CUP, A COMPETITION THAT WE HAVE REALLY ENJOYED SO FAR AND THAT IS PROVING TO BE AN IMPORTANT SET OF GAMES IN THE TEAM’S DEVELOPMENT.

MEET OUR NEW PLAYERS...AND EAT PIE!

EXETER CHIEFS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SIDES HAVE WELCOMED MANY NEW PLAYERS TO SANDY PARK AHEAD OF THIS SEASON AND WE ARE GIVING SUPPORTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THEM OFF THE PITCH.

In a first for Exeter Chiefs and the brainchild of assistant coach Gareth Steenson, we are introducing our newbies to our supporters, so they meet them in person and hear some of their stories on Wednesday 1 November – 7pm.

Among the players ready to meet-and-greet for the men’s team is Wales international Joe Hawkins, Eoin O’Connor from Munster, New Zealander Ethan Roots, who captained Chiefs against Cornish Pirates, and 6ft 8ins lock Alfie Bell, who arrived in November 2022 from Wasps.

For the women, we will be introducing Wales scrum-half Eloise Hayward, who has played club rugby for Saracens Women and rugby league for Leeds Rhinos. She has also played sevens for England and Great Britain, and football for Arsenal, Manchester City and England U18s!

We will also welcome utility back Emily Magee, who used to play for New York Rugby Club, has been part of the USA Eagles training squad, and has played 15s and sevens rugby in nine different countries.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter OBE said: “We have made quite a few changes in the off-season with a great new bunch of lads who are fitting in well with the Exeter Chiefs ethos and culture. We have seen many of our new players in action in the Premiership Rugby Cup, while this event gives supporters a chance to meet them in person.”

Exeter Chiefs Women’s head coach Susie Appleby said: “We have attracted some great new players during the summer from across the world but also from our locality through our successful Women’s Pathway programme. We hope lots of our supporters can find the time to meet them and make them feel welcome at Sandy Park.”

Tickets for the event are just £20 per person (£18 for season ticket holders) and include a pie and mash meal. Both Baxter and Appley will also be attending. Book your tickets at https://tickethub.sandypark.co.uk.

PICTURE PERFECT: INTERNATIONAL HONOURS FOR CHIEFS PLAYERS

We saw six Chiefs players receive international honours last weekend, with five featuring in the Red Roses v Canada game at Sandy Park, and Dafydd Jenkins coming off the bench in Wales’s victorious Rugby World Cup game against Australia.

Despite the Wales result, the standout moment of the weekend had to be Maisy Allen coming on for her first England cap in front of her home crowd. She was joined off the bench by wing Claudia MacDonald while coming up against club mates DaLeaka Menin, Alex Tessier and Emily Tuttosi playing for Canada.

Best of luck to all of Exeter Chiefs international players this weekend, but meanwhile, please enjoy some photos from last weekend.

NEW PERSONALISATION SERVICE FOR SEASON’S NEW SHIRTS

Exeter Chiefs’ supporters will now be able to get names printed on the back of their new replica kit due to a personalisation service offered by The Club Shop.

The launch of this service coincides with the availability of the new replica kit, featuring builders’ merchants Bradfords as the new men’s main sponsor.

Exeter Chiefs Women’s kit already features business IT and communications providers Focus Group as the women’s sponsor.

Emma Dingley, head of retail, said: “We want to celebrate the return of the Gallagher Premiership season by offering our new personalisation service, which we are offering in tandem with any replica shirts ordered this week. This will give us enough time to get the shirts back to supporters ahead of the Saracens game at Sandy Park on Saturday 14 October.”

Supporters can choose to get their own names (up to 10 letters) or their favourite player’s name on the back and they can choose a number too at a cost of £12.

This service is also being offered to supporters who have already bought shirts this season.

To order your shirt, go to The Club Shop website or call into Sandy Park. Supporters who have already bought shirts will need to come to the Club Shop and place an order with our staff.

TRIO SCALE ALPS PEAK FOR WELLBEING CHARITY

THREE

PLAYERS

Greg Bateman, Phil Dollman and Kai Horstmann started their ascent of Gran Paradiso on September 7 to allow them to acclimatise to the conditions, before tackling their main scale of Monte Rosa at a summit of 15,203ft (4,634m) on September 10.

The trio had been due to climb Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps at a summit of 15,771ft (4,809m), but after extreme heat caused rockslides on the trail, they had to change their plans to take on the second tallest mountain in the range.

Horstmann said their time playing the rugby together helped spur each other through the challenge, which has raised more than £13,000 for the Foundation so far.

He said: “Because we’ve played together, and we’ve experienced being in a hard position – nowhere near as hard as this – we kind of know how to help each other through. It would have been so hard doing it on your own.”

Bateman added: “We knew it was going to be hard, but you don’t realise how you’ll be affected by altitude, or how you’ll manage walking 10-and-a-half hours a day, five days in a row.

“We got to the top, we had a big hug, but we were all just being really grateful to the guide for getting us there!”

Dollman said: “It just shows that when you’re in a bit of hurt, you can come out of it with a bit of support around you and a bit of positive thinking.”

Horstmann concluded: “I think those endorphins of accomplishing something, and doing something that’s meaningful and that matters, it’s just felt good.”

Dave Nicoll, co-founder of LooseHeadz, said: “We are truly humbled by the incredible efforts of Greg, Kai and Phil. The money raised is absolutely vital as a small charity and will allow us to continue building on our mission to place a mental health lead into every rugby club around the world.

“The guys have raised an unbelievable sum of money for the LooseHeadz Foundation which will be used to continue developing new resources for our toolkit, and to help us provide more in person resources within rugby clubs.”

The ex-Chiefs-turned-climbers were sponsored by People’s Captain. MJS Group, FDS and Pearce Properties, which meant that any money raised went straight to helping LooseHeadz.

FORMER EXETER CHIEFS RUGBY

HAVE COMPLETED THEIR CLIMB OF MONTE ROSA IN THE ALPS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE LOOSEHEADZ FOUNDATION, A RUGBY CLOTHING CHARITY DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE EMOTIONAL NEEDS OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE SPORT.

POSITION: PROP

HEIGHT: 1.93M (6FT 4IN)

WEIGHT: 137KG (21ST 8LBS)

EHREN PAINTER

LIVING

IS LIKE BEING ON HOLIDAY...EVEN TAKING

PRE-SEASON TRAINING INTO ACCOUNT!

Having moved from landlocked Northampton to Devon, he has been making his way through as many beaches as possible to get his holiday vibe fix.

He said: “Every single weekend feels like a mini holiday. Having lived in Northampton, we are not used to beaches. We are now slowly ticking them off. Each week I find a better beach!”

When he is not walking his dog (FYI Hector the clumber spaniel) on beaches, Painter is enjoying life at Sandy Park where he is hoping to add to the game-time he chalked up with Northampton Saints. He has made a good impact so far with two starts at tighthead against Bristol Bears and Cornish Pirates in the Premiership Rugby Cup.

It was clear from early on that Painter just might be suited to life in the front row. Born in London and brought up in Billericay in Essex, his first game was football but gave rugby a go having been coaxed to his local club by one of his dad’s friends. He took to the game immediately and went on to attend Felsted School where he was coached by ex-Wasps prop Andrew Le Chevalier.

Painter was spotted by for Northampton Saints Academy where he was brought in alongside a whole host of young guns, including James Grayson, George Furbank, Alex Moon, Fraser Dingwall and Alex Mitchell, who is currently playing for England in the Rugby World Cup.

Painter has fond memories of those days at Franklin’s Gardens: “It was the place I saw myself playing forever. As an academy player, you assume you will stick to the one club for your entire career. It’s actually very rare for that to happen and sometimes it can be a mistake for a young player and their progression.”

Progression is key to Painter. At just 25, he could have years in front of him as a valuable English front-row asset. He is keen to learn and hone his craft, but he was not always a tighthead.

“I started off in the second row because I was quite tall. Then they thought maybe I could be at No 8 before moving me into the front tow at 14 and I really took to it.

“For me, the tighthead is the foundation of the scrum. You cannot have a good scrum without the tighthead doing his job.

THINKS

IN DEVON

FOR ME, THE TIGHTHEAD IS THE FOUNDATION OF THE SCRUM. YOU CANNOT HAVE A GOOD SCRUM WITHOUT THE TIGHTHEAD DOING HIS JOB.

“I grew up watching people like Ma’afu Fia. There are a lot of people I really respect too, like Harry Williams and Tomas Francis, who have had fantastic careers here and were a huge part of me coming to Sandy Park. They had international honours and were winning everything at club level.”

But these guys were not the only reason Painter upped sticks and moved to the South West.

“They are a team that has developed their frontrow really well and have developed their other forwards really well too and I’m still looking to develop. I’m 25, so I could potentially have 10 years left. It was a huge attraction to come here and develop and be part of the team. I loved playing against Chiefs too, always a tough game. They always had a really good scrum.”

But when Painter first arrived at Sandy Park at the end of last season, he ended up being sidelined by injury, but still enjoyed watching Chiefs reach the Premiership Rugby Cup final and playing in European fixtures.

“For me, I did not get a lot of game time last season, which is miserable. I injured myself in April and have been fighting to get back since then. I have not played a game since February so it’s amazing to get back on the pitch.

“I’m not old but I am one of the more experienced players having played 84 times for Saints. It’s a cool responsibility to have so I need to find my voice a little bit more each week.”

He concluded: “For the team, it’s about maximising each game and every opportunity, so we are better each week.”

I’M 25, SO I COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE 10 YEARS LEFT. IT WAS A HUGE ATTRACTION TO COME HERE AND DEVELOP AND BE PART OF THE TEAM.

2023•24 KIT

Whether online or in person, don’t miss your chance to shop our winter warmers while you’re here - visit our store today!

Simply scan the QR code to browse online, straight from your seat!

EXETERCHIEFSSTORE.CO.UK SHOP THE NEW SEASON IN JUST A FEW CLICKS!

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

JAMES GILLESPIE

JAMES GILLESPIE

JAMES

Welcome to Focus Group

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15. DAN JOHN

14. IMMANUEL FEYI-WABOSO

13. ZACK WIMBUSH

12. OLLIE DEVOTO (C)

11. ARTHUR RELTON

10. WILL HAYDON-WOOD

9. NIALL ARMSTRONG

1. DANNY SOUTHWORTH

2. MAX NOREY

3. PATRICK SCHICKERLING

4. JACK DUNNE

5. MATT POSTLETHWAITE

6. AIDON DAVIS

7. JOE BAILEY

8. ROSS VINTCENT

REPS

16. OLI BURROWS 17. JAMES KENNY

18. MARCUS STREET 19. ALFIE BELL

20. RUSI TUIMA 21. JOE SNOW

22. HARVEY SKINNER 23. TOM HENDRICKSON

1. GEORGE CAVE

2. JACK MUSK

3. ASHLEY CHALLENGER

4. HARRY BROWNE

5. JONNY GREEN

6. BAILEY RANSOM (C)

7. WILL TRENHOLM

8. ZACH CARR

9. JONNY LAW

10. ALEC LLOYD-SEED

11. CASSIUS CLEAVES

12. BEN WAGHORN

13. HAYDEN HYDE

14. WILL BROWN

15. TYRONE GREEN

REPS

16. AUSTIN WALLIS 17. TOM OSBORNE

18. RHYS CHARALAMBOUS 19. SILAS PILL

20. LEWIS BARRETT 21. STEPHEN KERINS

22. ROBBIE MCCALLUM 23. CAM ANDERSON

TODAY’S OFFICIALS:

REFEREE: HARRY WALBAUM

ASSISTANT REFEREES: LIONEL SPOONER, JAMES CORNELL

FOURTH OFFICIAL: KEVIN WILLIAMS

TIMEKEEPER: ERIC BULLION

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Do your research.

LONDON SCOTTISH WAS FOUNDED IN 1878 AND ORIGINALLY PLAYED THEIR MATCHES ON BLACKHEATH COMMON BEFORE MOVING TO RICHMOND ATHLETICS GROUND (THE RAG) 16 YEARS LATER.

However, last season saw them fight another battle to stay in the second tier. Two stunning wins followed by a one-point victory over Nottingham on the last weekend of the season pulled them clear of their long-term RAG-share allies Richmond.

Ahead of this season, Scottish have signed a bevy of new players, including fly-half Alec Lloyd-Seed from Doncaster Knights, hooker Garin Lloyd from Swansea RFC, scrum-half Jonny Law from Jersey Reds, back-three player Will Talbot-Davies from Coventry, and back-rower Ioan Rhys Davies and prop Ashley Challenger from French sides Sporting Club Graulhetois and C’Chartres Rugby respectively.

Back-rows Lewis Barrett and Graham Geldenhuys have also joined the Exiles squad – the former from Nottingham and the latter from Richmond. Geldenhuys is accompanied by prop Geroge Cave and scrum-half Steven Kerins, who have taken the short journey from Richmond too.

Dutch international lock Marijun Huis made the move to Scottish after a year out of the game recovering from a knee injury while utility back Elliot Haydon has joined the Exiles after completing his studies in Cardiff.

With these new players on board and plenty of favourites who were retained, Scottish will be hoping for a more comfortable ride in the 2023/24 Championship season, which starts again with the Exiles heading to the Mennaye Field for a Friday night competition opener against Cornish Pirates.

But for now, it’s all about the Premiership Rugby Cup. Scottish have yet to take a win in this competition but came very close against Doncaster two weekends ago. After today’s game, they have the Pirates left to play with an evening fixture beckoning at the RAG.

A PROUD HERITAGE HAS SEEN LONDON SCOTTISH PRODUCE 220 SCOTLAND INTERNATIONALS AND FOUR BRITISH & IRISH LIONS CAPTAINS, PLUS CHIEFS’ VERY OWN FORWARDS COACH ROB HUNTER. THE EARLY PROFESSIONAL ERA DID NOT START TOO BRIGHTLY FOR THE EXILES SEEING THEM DEMOTED NINE LEAGUES BY THE RFU IN 1999, BUT THEY HAD FOUGHT THEIR WAY BACK UP INTO THE CHAMPIONSHIP BY 2011.

DIRECTOR

BRYAN REDPATH

Bryan Redpath joined London Scottish at the end of the 2021/22 season. A former Scotland international scrum-half, Redpath won 60 caps for his country, captained the side 26 times, and was involved in three Rugby World Cups. Redpath’s club career as a player took him from Melrose to Narbonne and latterly to Sale Sharks. His coaching career saw him join Gloucester as backs coach in 2005 before being promoted to head coach in 2009. He moved back to Sale in 2012 as director of rugby and then Championship side Yorkshire Carnegie (now known as Leeds Tykes) in 2015. That’s quite some pedigree!

OF RUGBY: ONE TO WATCH: WILL BROWN

In January 2017, he announced his decision to leave coaching to take on a role outside rugby but was lured back by London Scottish where he works alongside head coach Joe Gray and backs & attack coach Gerard Mullen.

Winger Will Brown joined London Scottish this season from Championship champions Jersey Reds. Brown was one of the shining lights in the Championship last season finishing as one of the league’s top scorers. Brown scored on his London Scottish debut against Doncaster Knights and impressed once again last weekend against Bath, showing his class against Premiership opposition. With great pace as well as a fabulous tactical acumen for the game, Brown has made a fast start to life in a London Scottish shirt. And at just 24, Brown has a lot to come in his rugby career and looks forward to progressing with the Exiles.

1. First team you played rugby for?

Cornish Pirates U8s

2. First influential coach?

Martin Bodilly

3. Have you played in any other position?

I attempted the wing!

4. Rugby hero/inspiration?

Jonah Lomu

5. First professional game?

Played for Pirates against Jersey away and lost in the last kick of the game

6. Best away ground?

Munster’s Thomond Park – such a crazy atmosphere

7. Best rugby memory?

Winning the Premiership Rugby Cup last season

8. Rugby best friends?

Loads – Max Bodilly, Sam and Joe Simmonds, Stu Townsend, Ed Holmes, Jack Innard – the guys I lived with in the lodge

9. Nickname

Hendo or Snowplough

10. Favourite takeaway?

Thai

11. Favourite book?

Anthony Doerr’s All The Light We Cannot See

12. Sports teams you follow away from rugby?

Football – I guess Manchester United, but not really

13. Tea or coffee?

Coffee – flat white

14. Last thing you listened to?

A podcast called Athletico Mince

15. Favourite film?

Catch Me If You Can with Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks

WE PUT CENTRE TOM HENDRICKSON THROUGH 15 QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS, EXCEPT THIS MAN IS A THINKER, SO IT TOOK A LITTLE LONGER THAN FIRST THOUGHT!

WEEKS TWO & THREE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP ROUND-UP

WE ARE NOW INTO THE FOURTH WEEK OF THE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP WITH THE RUNNERS STARTING TO BE SORTED OUT FROM THE RIDERS. GLOUCESTER, LEICESTER TIGERS AND CHIEFS ARE LEADING THE WAY IN THEIR POOLS WITH EALING TRAILFINDERS KEEPING THE CHAMPIONSHIP FIRE BURNING AT THE TOP OF POOL D. CHIEFS ARE THE ONLY SIDE TO HAVE SECURED A MAXIMUM 15 POINTS AND HAVE THE HEALTHIEST POINTS DIFFERENCE OF 121.

Standout fixtures from last weekend saw Northampton Saints denied a win over Bristol by a solitary point at the Memorial Stadium with a final scoreline of 39-38 despite the away side scoring six tries to Bears’ five.

A top of pool D clash saw Ealing take on Doncaster and narrowly beating them 34-32 to leapfrog the Knights into pole position.

Elsewhere, Saracens got the highest score of the weekend with a 73-29 victory over Nottingham. The home side ran in an impressive 11 tries to Nottingham’s five.

In week two, the high scorers were Saints with a 55-5 win over Coventry. We also saw the only draw of the competition so far, with Harlequins and Coventry scoring 21 apiece.

Caldy won the battle of the Championship sides with 26-22 against Ampthill while London Scottish narrowly lost to Doncaster 22-24. The only upset of the weekend was Jersey Red’s impressive 10-34 victory over Bath at The Rec.

Week four will see if Ealing can cement their spot at the top of pool D with a trip to Cambridge, but Doncaster will be snapping at their heels trying to take the win at Bristol. A very local affair beckons for Hartpury and Gloucester with the latter keen to secure the win to put daylight between themselves and Coventry who will be welcoming winless Nottingham.

In pool C, the Tigers and Falcons will go headto-head at Welford Road to decide the leaders after four rounds, while Chiefs welcome London Scottish ahead of the former’s trip to Bath on October 7.

THIS WEEKEND’S FIXTURES

A SEASON OF EXCITEMENT AND GROWTH

AS THE NEW 2023/24 SEASON BEGINS, WE, THE COMMUNITY CHIEFS, WANT TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SUPPORT AND SHARE OUR ENTHUSIASM FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD.

The pulse of excitement that we feel at the cusp of this new season isn't just because of the game; it's for the unique chance we have to touch lives and foster positive change. This season marks our 15th year as a department. During this period, we've not only grown in number, but our commitment has deepened, and our reach has expanded. We've been privileged to operate across various sectors - from education and employability to inclusion and sport engagement. Each day, we're reminded of the sheer potential that lies in the confluence of sport, community, and education.

INSPIRING AND EDUCATING THE FUTURE

Central to our mission is the fervent desire to provide outstanding services to our local community. Our initiatives are meticulously designed to inspire and educate young people. We are determined to make active and healthy lifestyles not just an option but a way of life for them. Every pass, every run, and every tackle on the rugby field parallels lessons of teamwork, resilience, and discipline. These are life skills, and our goal is to ensure they are deeply instilled in the hearts and minds of our youth.

THE SPIRIT OF RUGBY: VALUES FOR LIFE

Rugby, at its core, isn't just a game; it's a way of life. It embodies values like respect, integrity, passion, discipline, and solidarity. As we engage with our community, we want these values to resonate beyond the pitch.

We aim to embed them so profoundly that they become guiding principles in the lives of the people we work with.

ADDING TO THE JOY AND LEAVING A MARK

While we strive to instil values and foster growth, we also understand the sheer joy and thrill the game brings. As the Community Chiefs, it's a privilege for us to add to the happiness the club brings to the region. Our vision has always been to ensure that every person we work with walks away with not just skills or knowledge but memories. We are committed to leaving a positive impact on every single individual, ensuring they remember their time with us as transformative and joyful.

RICHARD BRIGHT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

LEWIS GRIFFITHS COMMUNITY EDUCATION MANAGER

EBONY JEFFERIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COACH COMMUNITY

OLLY HALE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COACH

ALDWORTH COMMUNITY HITZ MANAGER

MATCH REPORT

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP - SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

Tries: Feyi-Waboso, Vermeulen, Wyatt (2), Fisilau, Relton, Davis Cons: Slade (4) Yellow cards: Feyi-Waboso, Relton

Tries: Van Breda, Sullivan, McHenry Cons: Bennett, Barton Pen: Bennett

MATCH STATS

JERSEY REDS V EXETER CHIEFS CARRIES

TOP PERFORMERS

24 24

11 23 22

8 17 20

Jersey Reds: S Van Breda; A McHenry, D Barnes, P Sullivan; R Bennett (J Barton 63), J Mitchell (T Venner 51); G McGrath (H Owen 63), J Hadfield (D Hughes 48), A Nicol (S Longwell 55), J Hawkins, J Scott (H Chapman 40), T Smith, L Wynne (c) (C Booth 58), T Grey (M Argyle 48)

Exeter Chiefs: T Wyatt (W Haydon-Wood 66); I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade (c), J Hawkins (T Hendrickson 60), A Relton; H Skinner, T Cairns (W Becconsall 60, O Burrows 69); S Sio (B Keast 52), M Norey, E Painter (J Iosefa-Scott 52), R Tuima (J Dunne 63), L Pearson, E Roots (A Davis 60), J Vermeulen, G Fisilau

Referee: Dan Jones Attendance: 1,826

MATCH REPORT

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP - SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER 13

Tries: Wyatt (2), Vintcent (2), Hammersley, Hodge

Cons: Slade (8), Skinner (2)

Tries: Dawson, Trewin Pen: Jenkins

EXETER CHIEFS V CORNISH PIRATES

MATCH STATS

TOP PERFORMERS

ETHAN ROOTS ROSS VINTCENT ROSS VINTCENT

POSSESSION

TERRITORY

TACKLES

49% 51% 61% 39% 135926 2 METRES CARRIED

RUSI TUIMA ETHAN ROOTS ETHAN ROOTS

9 13 20

8 11 15

Exeter Chiefs: J Hodge; B Hammersley, T Hendrickson, O Devoto (J Hawkins 58), T Wyatt; W Haydon-Wood (H Skinner 58), T Cairns (N Armstrong 58); S Sio (B Keast 52), D Frost (J Yeandle 28), E Painter (J Iosefa-Scott 52), R Tuima (J Dunne 64), L Pearson, E Roots (c), J Vermeulen, R Vintcent (A Davis 58)

Cornish Pirates: K Moyle; W Trewin (O Burrows 41-45 (M Walker 46-49)), I Evans (D John 50), J Elderkin, A Relton; I Jenkins (T Pittman 63), R Dawson (A Schwarz 59); L Zigiriadis (J Andrew 40), M Nelson (O Burrows 46), M Walker (F Richardson 40) W Trewin 50), W Britton (J King 40), S Barker, A Everett, W Gibson, J Stevens (c) (H Dugmore 59)

45

EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN

SUSIE APPLEBY HEAD COACH

JACKIE COLES TEAM MANAGER

CAT MOORE TEAM MANAGER

OLLIE CHALK ANALYST

STEVE SALVIN ASSISTANT COACH

BEN MARTIN ASSISTANT COACH

JADE KONIGKRAMER STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

KEN KABONGO P HYSIOTHERAPIST

JOEL RANFT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

MATCH REPORT

ALLIANZ CUP - FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

Tries: Parry

Cons: Green

Tries: Langford, Leitch, Ounsley, Moloney, Hanlon, Sinclair, Harris

Cons: Dadds, Powdrell

MATCH STATS

WARRIORS WOMEN V EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN

TOP PERFORMERS

CARRIES TACKLES CLEAR OUTS

13 26 24

7

12 21 23

10 19 17

Warriors Women: C McNaney; E Clarke (C McLaren 50), S Parry (E Clarke 61), A Kershaw, V Laflin; E Green (I McGuire-Evans 69), V Sellors (E England 40); A Gondwe, C Tremelling, S Evans, A Buckland-Hurry (c) E Pohjanheimo (R Sinclair 58), L Calladine (E Bonnett 66), S Moreira (L Terry 72), C Brincat

Exeter Chiefs Women: M Doidge (VC); E Sinclair, F Powdrell, S Langford (D Preece 67), J Ounsley (S Langford 72); C Dadds (S Harris 58), O Ortiz (E Hayward 56); A Middlebrooke (P Muzambe 51), C Moloney (C Nielson 51), E Hanlon (H Sams 60), N Fryday (K Smith 56), H Millar-Mills, E Jefferies, P Leitch (c), N Orchard (J Plant 60)

Both choirs will be performing at Clyst St Mary Village Hall on October 28 at 7.30pm.

Each choir will perform songs from their own repertoire before both coming together to combine the voices of more than 50 male chorists.

Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir (MVC) was founded in 1974. The choir performs about 10 times a year to raise money for local and national charities, with recent recipients including Hospiscare, Force, Royal British Legion, Devon Air Ambulance, Chard Lions and Sid Valley Memory Cafe.

Led by musical director Matthew Jeffrey and accompanied by Sandra Jepp, Budleigh Salterton MVC rehearse at 7pm every Tuesday night at East Budleigh Village Hall.

The choir has competed at the Cornwall International Male Voice Festival and last year with Barnstaple MVC. They went on a concert tour to Belgium, culminating in a performance at the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate in Ypres.

Four Lanes Male Choir was formed in 1944 to welcome local soldiers returning from the D-Day landings. The choir has enjoyed competition and tours across the country, as well as many local concerts throughout the year.

Four Lanes’ musical director is Timothy Hosken and their accompanist is David Wingham. They rehearse every Monday at Four Lanes United Methodist Church near Redruth.

Tickets for this fundraising event are £10 and are available from http://www.budleighmvc.co.uk, the village shop in Clyst St Mary, or on the door on the night.

Exeter Chiefs Foundation chairman Tony Rowe CBE said:

are very grateful to both choirs for putting on this performance to raise money for the Foundation. I would urge any fans of live choral music to head to Clyst St Mary next month for what will be a very special performance.”

We would also like to introduce you to today’s bucket collectors, Exeter Athletic RFC.

Exeter Athletic has been involved with the Exeter Chiefs Foundation since its launch and greatly appreciates the benefits this relationship has brought to the club. Exeter Athletic is an all-inclusive rugby club, providing rugby for players from U7s to adults. Like Exeter Chiefs, Athletic also started their days based at the County Ground.

Since then, Exeter Athletic has grown and developed its own facilities at Bravelands in Clyst St Mary. With a fantastic and supportive bunch of parents and children, they are now on the verge of opening their new clubhouse after many years of tireless fundraising.

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCED THAT THE BUDLEIGH SALTERTON AND FOUR LANES MALE VOICE CHOIRS WILL COMBINE THEIR VOICES NEXT MONTH AT A SPECIAL JOINT CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE EXETER CHIEFS FOUNDATION.

“We

RUGBY SHORTS

COACH DEVELOPMENT EVENT ANNOUNCED

Exeter Chiefs Academy has announced a new event to be hosted by Richard Cheetham MBE, who has an esteemed reputation in coach education and development from his work in rugby union, triathlon, football and cycling. The event be held on Monday 2 October and is the first of two linked sessions that Cheetham will be providing, with the second session taking place on Monday 22 January 2024. It would be beneficial to attend both sessions but not essential.

FIVE CHIEFS CALLED UP TO RFU DEVELOPMENT CAMP

Five of Exeter Chiefs up-and-coming young stars have been named in a 26-man RFU development camp this weekend. Oscar Beckerleg, Charlie Evered, Louie Gulley, Josh Mann and Ben Woodmansy have been selected by Jonathan Pendlebury, England U18s men’s head coach, and Andy Titterrell, England U20s men’s assistant coach, for a specialist front five forwards development camp at Bisham Abbey.

FOUR OUT OF FOUR FOR DEVONPORT SERVIES RFC

Devonport Services RFC’s four senior team recorded a full house of four out of four victories last weekend.

The 1st XV beat St Austell 50-24 at home while the 2nd and 3rd teams scored 6-28 and 0-59 away wins respectively against OPMs. Lastly, Devonport Services Ladies won 31-0 at Totnes. What a clean sweep! Well done to all the players involved.

Thanks to Tom Leach Photography for the photos.

WE WANT YOUR RUGBY CLUB’S NEWS!

As seen above, we would like to shake this page up a bit this season and would like to share some stories and photos from local rugby clubs too.

Exeter Chiefs Academy’s coach development sessions are for rugby coaches who coach at Devon or Cornwall clubs and/or schools. It is free to attend. Please go to this news story on www.exeterchiefs.co.uk to register attendance.

Cheetham's research, publications and conference presentations have focused on developing a more holistic approach to coaching as well as encouraging creativity and innovation in practice session design. In 2018, he was awarded the UK Coaching Awards - Coach Developer of the Year.

Please send us updates on standout results, new players, new coaches, milestone appearances, clubhouse developments, county or national call-ups, etc. and photos to rugbyshorts@exeterchiefs.co.uk

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.

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FROM THE PRESS BOX

THE NEW FORMAT FOR THE PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP SEEMS TO HAVE GONE DOWN WELL SO FAR.

Matches against Championship clubs have provided a much-needed freshness to the fixture list and Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter has made it very clear that he would like to see this format retained in years to come, with this season’s fixtures reversed in 12 months’ time.

Of course, there have been one or two one-sided scorelines, but with it effectively being a pre-season competition for both Premiership and Championship clubs, teams are mixing up their line-ups and giving every member of their squad some game time.

That is unlikely to be the case in a non-World Cup year, when the tournament would no doubt be embedded further into the season, when squads are more settled.

It has been a big improvement on what South West clubs did while the 2015 World Cup was taking place, with a West Country Challenge Cup being staged between Exeter Chiefs, Bath and Gloucester. At least the matches in the last few weeks have had some meaning, and if the Chiefs can win their final two group games, at home to London Scottish today and away to Bath next weekend, they will be into the semi-finals as they try to defend the trophy they won last season with victory over London Irish.

As things stand heading into this weekend, the four group leaders are Exeter, Gloucester, Leicester and Ealing Trailfinders, who would love to make the last four to make a point to Premiership Rugby that they deserve to be in the top-flight, despite their ground currently failing to reach the minimum standards criteria to gain promotion.

I am sure I was not alone in thoroughly enjoying watching Wales thrash Australia last Sunday night in the World Cup.

Having left England in a state of shambles when he was removed by the RFU less than 12 months ago, Eddie Jones has now had a similar impact on the Australian national team.

What made it even more pleasurable was the fact the arrogant Aussie had declared before the match that he had “no doubt” the Wallabies were going to beat the Welsh.

It was a complete ‘car crash’ of a performance by Australia, who looked devoid of any ideas of how they were going to win such a game – a bit like England in the last two years of his spell in charge.

It will now need an unlikely set of results to save Australia from elimination from the tournament at the pool stage.

That result also means England seem set to face a very tough-looking quarter-final against Fiji, who have become everyone’s favourite ‘other’ team in France. Another game I really enjoyed last weekend was Ireland’s 13-8 victory over South Africa – not so much because of the result as I didn’t really care who won –but because of the quality of the contest.

There was much celebration in Ireland as the win almost certainly means they will finish top of the group, unless Scotland can upset them next weekend, but they might just have made their route to the final more difficult.

Barring any unexpected results in the remaining matches in pools A and B, it is looking like an IrelandNew Zealand quarter-final, with South Africa taking on France, and the All Blacks could pose a stiffer challenge than a French side almost certainly without their injured talisman Antoine Dupont.

NIGEL WALROND

A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF... MARK TWIGGS

IN A NEW FEATURE FOR THE EXETER CHIEFS PROGRAMME, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE LIFE BEHIND THE SCENES WITH THE PEOPLE WHO HELP MAKE THE TEAMS AND THE CLUB TICK. YOU MAY RECOGNISE THEIR FACES BUT HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THEY DO!

Twiggsy is our head of strength & conditioning and has been with the club for 14 years after leaving the Royal Marines to move into professional rugby S&C work. While his typical home match week is certainly packed, he always finds time to have a laugh and find some fun.

SUNDAY

When not spending time with his family, Sunday is all about stats! Twiggsy takes all the players physical statistics from the game home with him so he can prepare them for the coaches’ perusal on a Monday.

MONDAY

This is the recovery day. The S&C team starts by going through all the match stats from GPS and heart rate monitors to hone their week’s load and player management accordingly. The players come in for breakfast and it’s a chance to catch up to see who is feeling particularly sore or stiff. Then the players divide with some in the pool at David Lloyd while others go through a carousel of screening, a weigh-in, stretching and foam rolling before going into weights where the gym has already been set-up and their nutrition sorted out for them. A quick lunch before heading out to the pitch for a warm-up and team games session. Then it’s time for more recovery assessments.

TUESDAY

This is a rugby day following the selection of the team. The S&C team breaks the squad up into groups. The non-selected get top-up sessions so every player in the squad continues to move forward. For the main rugby session, the team leads the warm-up and speed sessions.

Any spare time in the day is about external admin. Twiggsy checks in with the academy, women’s, university and college teams, and follows up on any external team building events he might be planning, plus HR and recruitment. He also catches up in with Amber, the players’ chef and nutritionist, who prepares the players’ meals and checks the players’ unique nutrition plans that they update via an app. Lastly, he plans the squad’s schedule for the week ahead for the coaches’ approval.

WEDNESDAY

The main gym session of the week with some big music tunes filling the gym followed by the squad heading out to the main pitch for some serious training. Everyone has a good lunch before any media duties or home time. The performance team and any other willing playing staff though take the chance to head out for a game football or touch rugby to keep the competitive spirit alive.

THURSDAY

Day off! While always available on the phone, Twiggsy takes the opportunity to do both the school runs for his four and nine-year-old sons, takes his nine (yes, nine) dogs for walk, and then has a mind-clearing run.

FRIDAY

The captain’s run takes place in the morning, but before then, the non-match-day 23 come in for a weights session and sometimes a game-simulated session too. Other weeks, they may just need a rest. Then the match-day 23 turn up for breakfast before going out for the captain’s run where for the final preparations, Twiggsy will be ensuring all the match-day nutrition protocols are followed ahead of helping set up the changing room for the next day’s game. Then it’s time to grab some food and head home.

SATURDAY

Game day…but after Twiggsy has done a few sports clubs with his kids in the morning! He heads to Sandy Park where he finishes off the changing room, making sure all the clocks are all set to the same time, and ensuring all the drinks and supplements are ready. Obviously, he does the warm-up but also liaises with the media who may wish to do pre-match interviews.

During the game, Twiggsy remains pitch-side and helps manage the subs, making sure they are warmed up and ready to go when they are needed. The team watches all the live GPS stats and report back to the coaches to help inform decisions.

After the game, Twiggsy gets the players back out to see the supporters (and brings them in again to start their recovery in the form of a protein shake) while the players who had less game-time will be given a bit of a run. He then gathers all the players data before he leaves for the day to work on the following day. And then…he just might have a beer.

EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN V BRISTOL BEARS

EXETER CHIEFS V SARACENS

EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN V SALE SHARKS WOMEN

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

WHAT’S ON AT SANDY PARK

WE HAVE A WHOLE HOST OF EVENTS COMING UP AT SANDY PARK TO TAKE US RIGHT UP TO CHRISTMAS!

FIGHT NIGHT

We are just weeks away from our fight night on Thursday 19 October to raising money for the Exeter Chiefs Foundation and The Royal Marines Charity.

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

Exeter's biggest comedy night returns on Friday 10 November from 7pm.

You can pre-order food with Thai green chicken curry, green vegetables and wild rice on the menu and a tofu vegetarian option available. Please note there will no food available on the night unless pre-ordered. This is event is over to over-18s only. Tickets are £20 with food or £12 without. If you want to bring some friends, a table of 10 with food is £180 or £100 without.

SANDY PARK SESSIONS

Sandy Park Sessions return on Friday 17 November from 9pm!

We have a superstar line up of DJs bringing some of the best house and electronic dance music to the South West.

Mr C, The Shamen, Altern8 and Shadow Child will be playing, as well as highly respected producer and mixer, Tim Cullen.

We will also be welcoming back favourites Hatchett and El Barco to Sandy Park.

Don’t miss out on what promises to be an epic night. Tickets start at £12.

CHRISTMAS PARTIES 2023

Enquire today to make sure you don’t miss out on hosting your Christmas Party at Exeter’s premier events centre. Prices start at £32 per person.

MEET THE NEW PLAYERS

This is the first time we have run an event like this! On Wednesday 1 November, we will be giving you the opportunity to hear all about the exciting young stars coming into both the men’s and women’s squads with Q&As with Rob Baxter OBE, Susie Appleby and of course, our new players. Included in your £20 ticket (£18 for season ticket holders) is a main course of pie & mash, so why not make an evening of it and join us here at Sandy Park to meet our new stars? Doors open at 7pm.

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 for 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 when 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.

To book any of these events, please go to www.sandypark.co.uk/events.

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WELCOME AND THANK YOU TO ALL OUR PARTNERS FOR THE 2023/24 SEASON

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