Vodacom Bulls Match Day Programme

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EXETER CHIEFS VS vodacom BULLS

CONTENTS Chief Executive & Chairman: Tony Rowe OBE, Hon LLD Deputy Chief Executive: Keiron Northcott Directors: Rob Baxter OBE, Steve Byrne, Mark Champion, Brian Lodge, Chris Over Managing Director: Natasha Pavis Sales and Marketing Director: Lisa Duncan Finance Director: Nicky Teague Stadium Operations Director: Mark Isaacs Administration Director: Toni Percival President: Bob Staddon Director of Rugby: Rob Baxter OBE, Hon LLD Head Coach: Ali Hepher Coaches: Rob Hunter, Ricky Pellow, Omar Mouniemne, Haydn Thomas, Gareth Steenson Academy Manager: Rob Gibson Team Manager: Tony Walker Head of Strength & Conditioning: Mark Twiggs Director of Sports Medicine: Adrian Harris Head of Sports Medicine: Jamie Fulton Corporate Account Manager: Sam McIntyre 01392 890879 - (M) 07741 146980 Media & Communications Manager: Mark Stevens Community Development Manager: Aron Struminski Merchanise Manager: Sarah Scott - 01392 890872 Design & Production: Jonny Carus Programme Editor: Mark Stevens Photography: JMP, Inpho and Getty Images

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TONY ROWE DOMINIC McKAY HEINEKEN WELCOME ROB BAXTER CLUB NEWS CASTRES MATCH REPORT GLOUCESTER MATCH REPORT MEN’S FIXTURES RUGBY SHORTS MEN’S SQUAD TEAM LINE-UPS OPPOSITION HEAD 2 HEAD NIGEL WALROND RUBEN VAN HEERDEN FEATURE WOMEN’S FIXTURES LOUGHBOROUGH MATCH REPORT WORCESTER MATCH REPORT WOMEN’S SQUAD COMMUNITY NEWS TICKET INFORMATION

CONTACT 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

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welcome

“

I know the team are determined to use last weekend’s victory over Castres as the springboard for further progress within the competition

Good afternoon to you all and welcome back to Sandy Park for our Heineken Champions Cup clash with the Vodacom Bulls.

A week on from what was a fantastic start to the tournament for us over in France, today we must brace ourselves for another equalling testing assignment against our South African visitors.

Rob Hunter and Ricky Pellow - have not only been the drivers of our success in recent years, but they share my own vision of taking the club onto bigger and better things in the future.

The Champions Cup as we know, brings together the elite sides from across Europe but, for the first time, some of us will now get to tackle some of the might that the Southern Hemisphere has to offer.

Having that stability, together with their skill-set and knowledge, is paramount to our goals for the years ahead and I look forward to sharing in many more successful times ahead.

The introduction of the South African sides into the tournament certainly offers a new challenge, both on and off the field, but it is one that I think we can all get excited about.

Equally, our women’s side continue to impress and under Susie Appleby and Steve Salvin, we’ve already seen how they too have really attacked these opening weeks of the Allianz Premier 15s.

In what I believe is a pre-Christmas cracker of a contest, I know the team are determined to use last weekend’s victory over Castres as the springboard for further progress within the competition.

Recent victories over DMP Sharks, Worcester Warriors and Loughborough Lightning have put the women’s team among the division’s frontrunners and I know they will be looking to add to that run with victory over Harlequins here tomorrow.

Much in the same way as when we won in La Rochelle back in 2020, getting your European campaign off to a flying start - picking up all five points on the road - can really set things up and a victory this afternoon can put us in a great position moving into the New Year.

Talking of the future, I was delighted to confirm earlier this week that we have agreed new contracts for our senior coaching team here at the club. As a collective, Rob Baxter - together with Ali Hepher,

Finally, can I take this opportunity to thank all of you who helped make our recent MND Day here at the club a huge success. Over £5,000 was raised for the three charities, who I know have said it will help make a real difference.

TONY ROWE OBE

CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE EXETER RUGBY CLUB

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Supporting Independent Businesses

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PROUDLY SERVING THE TRADES & DIY SINCE 1770.

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welcome

“

The quality and tradition of the three South African sides will add a new layer of interest as the Heineken Champions Cup extends its global reach

A warm welcome to this Round 2 match in the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup in what is an historic 28th season as the leading South African clubs make their mark in our world-class tournament.

The quality and tradition of the DHL Stormers, Vodacom Bulls and Cell C Sharks will add a new layer of interest as the Heineken Champions Cup extends its global reach and attracts new fans.

For this groundbreaking season, the 24-club format with two pools of 12 has been retained.

The four pool stage rounds will be followed by four knockout stage rounds guaranteeing a series of compelling contests which will culminate in the 2023 final at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, 20 May. In addition, two clubs from each pool will qualify for the Round of 16 of the EPCR Challenge Cup. We are delighted to be joined on the journey to Dublin by our long-standing title partner, Heineken, by our official partners, DHL, IHG and Tissot, by our official supporters, Gilbert and Kappa, and also by our official airline partner in South Africa, Qatar Airways.

BT Sport, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions, who have all renewed their agreements for the new broadcast cycle, will continue to provide superb coverage, and we welcome SuperSport in South Africa, ITV and RTÉ in the

UK and Ireland, and FloRugby in the USA, who in addition to S4C in Wales, will showcase the tournament to even more viewers.

On a more sombre note, everyone at EPCR was deeply saddened to learn of the recent passing of our former Chairman and Board member, Paul McNaughton. Paul was a hugely talented all-round sportsman in his heyday and more recently, he proved himself to be equally accomplished as an administrator. He will be sorely missed and we re-extend our condolences to his family and friends.

We hope that you enjoy the match and best wishes to you, the fans, as well as to your club’s players and staff for what promises to be another memorable Heineken Champions Cup season.

Yours in rugby,

DOMINIC MCKAY EPCR CHAIRMAN

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welcome I would like to extend a very warm welcome to everyone as we commence the 2022/23 Heineken® Champions Cup. Rugby in the UK is known for bringing people together to enjoy the incredible atmosphere and top-class sporting performances, and so it is with the memory of some truly unforgettable encounters that we excitedly mark the 27th year of our partnership with EPCR. I would also like to commemorate another momentous anniversary, as this month Edinburgh Rugby celebrate 150 years of representative rugby and a proud sporting history. Cheers to them, and the very best of luck today to all the players, officials and supporters of these fine teams.

We at Heineken® are immensely proud to be sponsor of Europe’s leading club rugby competition, a tournament that means so much to rugby fans across the UK and beyond.

Enjoy the game today with a cold, refreshing Heineken® or Heineken® 0.0% and as always, please do so responsibly.

BOUDEWIJN HAARSMA MANAGING DIRECTOR HEINEKEN UK

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ROB baxter Good afternoon to you all and welcome to Sandy Park for a notable first for Exeter Chiefs.

Today, we play our first-ever South African opponents with the visit of the Bulls in the Heineken Champions Cup and I really hope all of you who are braving the cold to be here in person have a fantastic occasion to remember.

We gave ourselves a great start to the competition last week when we visited Castres and collected all five points in our opening fixture. Reflecting on the performance, I really do have to complement the players on their approach to the game – and then their hard work across the 80 minutes.

Against the big French teams, there are always periods when the pressure really comes on and it is in these periods that you win the game. Staying in the fight, so that they don’t get momentum and easy scores, is really important when they have their moments and we did this fully across the game.

Castres couldn’t get anything easy from the game and it was telling how hard they had to work to keep us at bay because in the end we found the space that tired bodies were leaving and created our scores in what will hopefully be an important five-point win.

I also have to add how great it was to see so many of our supporters in Castres, I met several for a chat in the Christmas markets before the game, others in the bar afterwards and more at the airport after the game. We may have flown on a commercial flight, but in reality, it was packed with Chiefs supporters and felt far more like an Exeter Chiefs organised charter!

I hope you all had a great weekend and appreciated the will and determination of the players to do well, I know they appreciated your efforts in being there and supporting them.

We spoke before the game that an away win would break open the group for us and now we have to build on this at home and be excited about what we can achieve by backing up last week’s performance. I expect us to attack the game and play in a way that you want to support and be emotionally invested in, that gives us the best chance of playing well and therefore winning. Our aim of making Sandy Park a real fortress continues………

Finally, I would like to welcome Jake White, together with his fellow coaches, players, officials and supporters of the Bulls to Devon.

Enjoy the Game!

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Duis aute irure.

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cOWAN-DICKIE TO LEAVE CHIEFS AT THE END OF THE SEASON FOR MONTPELLIER Luke Cowan-Dickie says it will feel ‘weird’ when it comes to

saying goodbye to the Exeter Chiefs at the end of the season.

The England and British & Irish Lions hooker has confirmed this will be his last season at Sandy Park, bringing to an end a 12year association with the Gallagher Premiership club.

His next destination will be that of France and a move to Top 14 giants Montpellier-Herault, where he will team up with current Chiefs and England team-mate, Sam Simmonds, who himself has agreed a similar switch.

“It’s gutting to be leaving,” said the 29-year-old. who to date has made 163 appearances for the Chiefs, scoring 36 tries in the process.

“I’ve been at the Chiefs for 12 years and it’s all I’ve known. That said, this opportunity came up and it was one that I had to think long and hard about. I spoke a lot with my family about it and it wasn’t an easy decision to make in the end.

“Obviously, it’s a different competition, a different language - which I’ll have to learn - but I think it’s time for a change.

Hopefully, I’ve still got plenty of years left in my career, but this is an opportunity for me to go over there and show what I am all about.”

Before now and the end of the season, Cowan-Dickie insists his sole focus is on the Chiefs and delivering performances to a club he says he will forever be grateful to.

“I’ve still lots to give here,” he added. “This is my club and I want to go out on a real high and win some trophies. It will be weird when the time comes to say my goodbyes, but for now I want to do all I can to ensure it finishes how I want it to.”

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hogg says it’s imperative chiefs build on castres win Stuart Hogg described Exeter’s 27-12 Heineken Champions Cup win in Castres as one of the “special nights” for the 2020 champions.

The Chiefs recorded their fourth win on French soil in the club’s European history and also picked up a bonus point as they scored two tries in each half.

They face the South African newcomers the Bulls at Sandy Park in round two and Hogg has urged his team-mates to follow up their impressive victory.

“I’m hugely proud of that performance,” Hogg said. “We talked about having special nights in Europe and we knew coming across to Castres was going to be one hell of a challenge for us.

“To come away with a bonus-point win is everything we wanted. Now the challenge is to back it up next week. We stuck to our game plan and got a bit of a bollocking at half-time.

After that we came out and showed them what we are properly about in the second half.”

and Dave Ewers. But Sam Maunder and Olly Woodburn crossed in the second half to wrap things up for the Chiefs.

Hogg, who made the bonus-point try for Woodburn, added: “Our game plan was working for us in the first half, but we went off script and didn’t get numbers to the breakdown quickly enough. Credit to Castres they turned us over.

“The two tries we scored in the first half was a bit of us, we went through multi-phases and eventually scored. That’s what we are about, and we needed a little bit more of it.

“Maybe we were concentrating a little bit too much on them and not what we were about.

The second half was exactly us and we’ll enjoy this one. We have had 60-70 minute performances this season, but not the full 80.

At times it’s not always going to be perfect, but then you get your rewards on night like this.”

Four penalties by Julien Dumora kept Castres, unbeaten at Stade Pierre Fabre for the previous 11 months, in the hunt at 12-12 at halftime despite Exeter tries from Sam Simmonds

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landmark moment for leitch and pals Exeter Chiefs Women’s captain Poppy Leitch spoke about how ‘amazing’ it was to make her 50th appearance for the club alongside teammates and house mates Ebony Jefferies and Merryn Doidge in last week’s comprehensive Allianz Premier 15s win at Loughborough Lightning.

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people coming up to their 50th (appearance) as well, so there’ll be more to come and what’s amazing about this club is people want to stay, because we have a really good family ethos around here. We’ve got three 50s now, but we’re going to have many more to come.”

Susie Appleby’s side ran in eight tries on the day to not only maintain their top two placing, but secure a third successive league win.

Last Saturday’s game also saw Red Roses star Claudia MacDonald make her first appearance in Chiefs colours after her summer move from Wasps.

“It was amazing, of course it was, and to do it with Ebony and with Merryn was massive, we all live together, we’re all local, we all studied at Exeter University together, so it feels like I’m really fortunate to make my 50th with those two as well,” said Leitch. “There are

“I think what’s important is the squad’s been working really hard whilst those guys have been at a World Cup, so they’ve been able to come back into an environment where they’re able to be themselves and play quality rugby for the Chiefs.”

three charities set to benefit from the success of mnd day

Three leading charities are set to benefit from the special ‘MND Day’ organised by the Exeter Chiefs Foundation ahead of the recent Premiership Rugby Cup clash between the Chiefs and Gloucester at Sandy Park.

Over £5,000 was raised from collections, donation and a silent auction - which included signed Exeter Chiefs and Gloucester shirts, as well as a bottle of whisky - for the Exeter and East Devon Motor Neurone Disease Association, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and 4Ed campaign.

Exeter Rugby Club already has strong links to both the Exeter and East Devon Motor Neurone Disease Association and Doddie Weir’s My Name’5 Doddie Foundation - and they were more than happy to

link-up with the 4Ed Campaign, which was set up early this year after Gloucester lock Ed Slater was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease himself.

Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, said: “The whole day was about not only raising awareness of MND but, more importantly, raising funds to help the charities and aid research into the causes of MND and investigate potential cures.

“On behalf of the Foundation, I want to thank everyone who has given to these three causes, but a special mention to Patrick McCaig at Otter Brewery for helping raise an additional £555 from donations given by local brewers.”.

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Exeter Chiefs Chief Executive Tony Rowe OBE has spoken of his delight after it was confirmed that four of his senior coaching staff have agreed new long-term deals with the Gallagher Premiership club.

the futures of four of our core coaches here at the club. Having spoken with all of them, I know they share the same vision as myself of driving the club onto even greater things in the coming years.”

Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, together with head coach Ali Hepher, forwards coach Rob Hunter and skills coach Ricky Pellow have all put pen to paper, ensuring they will be driving the club forward in the future.

Baxter added: “Not only is it good news for us personally, but it’s great that the club are backing us to keep producing not only good rugby, but good players and, hopefully, success for the club.

Together the quartet have overseen some of the club’s greatest triumphs, including a Heineken Champions Cup win, two Premiership Rugby titles, as well as two domestic cup successes.

Commenting on the news, Rowe said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to secure

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“Over the years we have achieved a lot together, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we are all hungry to achieve more. Believe it or not, we take it pretty personally when the team don’t perform like we should and that’s the motivating factor for all of us.”

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2 3

Castres: J Dumora; G Palis, T Combezou (A Segrut 35), A Zeghdar, F Nakosi; L Le Brun, G Doubrere (R Kockott 56); A Tichit (L Guérois-Galisson 56), G Barlot (P Colonna 56), W Hounkpatin (A Guillamon 56); L Nakarawa (T Hannoyer 60), T Staniforth (K Kornath 60); M Babillot (capt), N Champion de Crespigny (J Raisuqe 60), T Ardron.

P: DUMORA (4)

Yellow Card: Palis T: S SIMMONDS, EWERS, S MAUNDER, WOODBURN C: J SIMMONDS (2) P: J SIMMONDS

Chiefs: S Hogg (J Hodge 62); J Nowell, H Slade, R O’Loughlin, O Woodburn; J Simmonds, S Maunder (W Becconsall 64); S Sio (A Hepburn 64), J Yeandle (capt, D Frost 64), H Williams (J Iosefa-Scott 64); D Jenkins (R Van Heerden 63), J Gray; D Ewers, C Tshiunza (S Grondona 63), S Simmonds. Replacement (not used): S Kata.

Referee: F Murphy.

Attendance: 5,000

MATCH STATS

54% 49% 138 7 P O SS ESS I O N

T E R R I TO RY

TAC K L ES

T R I ES

46% 51% 164 5 TOP PERFORMERS

AIDON DAVIS GREG FISILAU GREG FISILAU 10 17 26 RUS TUIMA MANNY WABOSO LEWIS PEARSON 9 16 20 DAN FROST LEWIS PEARSON JACK DUNNE 8 12 20 23

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WIN a weekend with Exeter Chiefs Tickets for two to the Exeter Chiefs vs Gloucester game on 28th January 2023 An overnight stay for two at Courtyard Exeter Sandy Park Hotel Pick the player of the day & get an exclusive photo with them on the pitch after the match A signed Exeter Chiefs shirt

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50 33

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0 3

T: FEYI-WABOSO, CORDERO (2), TUIMA (2), FROST (2) C: I JENKINS (6) P: I JENKINS

Chiefs: D John; I Feyi-Waboso, S O’Brien (Z Wimpish 76), S Kata (T Hendrickson 62), F Cordero; I Jenkins, W Becconsall (T Cairns 62); J Kenny (D Southworth 52), J Innard (capt, D Frost 52); J Iosefa-Scott (P Schickerling 55); J Dunne (J Bailey 72), L Pearson; R Tuima (S Grondona 55), A Davis, G Fisilau.

T: MEEHAN, BLAKE, MORRIS, MORGAN REEVES C: BARTON (4)

Gloucester: J Hathaway (K Moyle 40, J Reeves 76); A Morgan, J Reeves (M Adderley-Jones 63), B Twelvetrees, J Morris; G Barton, B Meehan (capt, M Jones 72); A Seville (A McArthur 62), S Blake (F Theobold-Thomas 62), K Gotovtsev (B O’Connor 62); A Davidson (R Nixon 23), A Clark; F Thomas, J Clement, J Bartlett (D Eite 48).

Referee: M Hudson. Attendance: 8,972

MATCH STATS

54% 49% 138 7 P O SS ESS I O N

T E R R I TO RY

TAC K L ES

T R I ES

46% 51% 164 5 TOP PERFORMERS

AIDON DAVIS GREG FISILAU GREG FISILAU 10 17 26 RUS TUIMA MANNY WABOSO LEWIS PEARSON 9 16 20 DAN FROST LEWIS PEARSON JACK DUNNE 8 12 20 27

2022/23

MEN’S FIXTURES, RESULTS & STATS

MAY

APRIL

MARCH

FEBRUARY

JANUARY

DECEEMBER

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

SEPTEMBER

15

13

12

11

10

9

1

DATE

TIME

OPPONENTS (KO)

RESULT

10

15:00

H

LEICESTER TIGERS

W 24-20 9,579

J SIMMONDS

NOWELL

WHITTEN

WOODBURN SKINNER

TOWNSEND

HEPBURN Y

18

15:00

A

WORCESTER WARRIORS

W 21-36 4,999

J SIMMONDS

NOWELL

O’LOUGHLIN WHITTEN

WOODBURN SKINNER

TOWNSEND

HEPBURN Y

25

15:00

H

HARLEQUINS

W 43-42 9,399

J SIMMONDS

NOWELL

SLADE

WHITTEN

WOODBURN SKINNER

TOWNSEND

HEPBURN C

28

19:45

A

BRISTOL BEARS

W 20-35 3,704

JOHN

RELTON

KATA

O’BRIEN

CORDERO

CAIRNS

I-SCOTT

1

15:00

A

SALE SHARKS

L 28-20

HOGG

O’LOUGHLIN

SLADE

WHITTEN

WOODBURN SKINNER

TOWNSEND

HEPBURN C

W 14-50 19,365

HOGG

NOWELL

SLADE

O’LOUGHLIN

WOODBURN J SIMMONDS

J MAUNDER

HEPBURN Y

7

19:45

A

BRISTOL BEARS

15

15:00

H

WASPS

ATT.

5,500

KATA

BECCONSALL

IN

C-C

19

19:45

A

WORCESTER WARRIORS

22

15:00

H

SARACENS

L 20-22

C-C 12,666

HOGG

NOWELL

SLADE

WHITTEN

WOODBURN SKINNER

J MAUNDER

HEPBURN C

28

19:45

A

GLOUCESTER

L 38-22

16,500

HOGG

HODGE

O’LOUGHLIN WHITTEN

WOODBURN SKINNER

J MAUNDER

SIO

Y

4

19:45

A

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

L 26-19

12,799

HODGE

JOHN

O’LOUGHLIN WHITTEN

WOODBURN J SIMMONDS

J MAUNDER

SIO

Y

12

17:00

H

LONDON IRISH

W 22-7

9,916

HODGE

JOHN

O’LOUGHLIN O’BRIEN

WOODBURN J SIMMONDS

J MAUNDER

HEPBURN IN

3,126

25

19:45

A

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

L 24-21

HODGE

JOHN

O’BRIEN

WHITTEN

WOODBURN J SIMMONDS

J MAUNDER

HEPBURN Y

26

15:00

H

BATH

W 25-22 9,900

CORDERO

FEYI-WABOSO

WIMBUSH

WYATT

RELTON

I JENKINS

CAIRNS

KENNY

IN

4

15:00

H

GLOUCESTER

W 50-33 8,972

JOHN

FEYI-WABOSO

O’BRIEN

KATA

CORDERO

I JENKINS

BECCONSALL

KENNY

IN

10

21:00

A

CASTRES

W 12-27 5,000

HOGG

NOWELL

SLADE

O’LOUGHLIN

WOODBURN J SIMMONDS

S MAUNDER

SIO

Y

17

13:00

H

BULLS

24

15:00

H

BATH

31

15:00

A

SARACENS

7

16:30

H

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS

14

19:30

A

BULLS

21

17:30

H

CASTRES

28

TBC

H

GLOUCESTER

4

REST WEEKEND

11

TBC

25

TBC

H

PREM CUP SEMI-FINAL SALE SHARKS

4

TBC

A

HARLEQUINS

11

TBC

H

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

18

TBC

A

PREM CUP FINAL

25

TBC

A

BATH

1

TBC

8

TBC

15

TBC

A

LEICESTER TIGERS

22

TBC

H

BRISTOL BEARS

29

TBC

6

TBC

13

TBC

PREMIERSHIP SEMI-FINAL

20

TBC

CHAMPIONS CUP FINAL

27

TBC

PREMIERSHIP FINAL

EUROPE EUROPE

EUROPE SEMI-FINAL A

LONDON IRISH

LIVE FOR MATCH DAY 28

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2

3

4

5

6

7

8

21

22

23

YEANDLE

STREET

DUNNE

GRAY

KIRSTEN

TSHIUNZA

CAPSTICK

INNARD

KENNY

SCHICKERLING

YEANDLE

STREET

DUNNE

GRAY

KIRSTEN

TSHIUNZA

CAPSTICK

INNARD

KENNY

SCHICKERLING

V HEERDEN EWERS

J MAUNDER

O’LOUGHLIN

CORDERO

V HEERDEN EWERS

J MAUNDER

KATA

C-DICKIE

WILLIAMS

V HEERDEN GRAY

EWERS

TSHIUNZA

CAPSTICK

YEANDLE

KENNY

CORDERO

SCHICKERLING

JENKINS

S SIMMONDS

S MAUNDER

O’LOUGHLIN

NNARD

RICHARDSON PEARSON

TEAGUE

LEATHERBARROW VINTCENT

TUIMA

NOREY

HOGG

SOUTHWORTH

JOHNSON

BAILEY

GRUBB

JAMES

WYATT

C-DICKIE

WILLIAMS

DUNNE

D JENKINS

KIRSTEN

F NOWELL

VERMEULEN S SIMMONDS YEANDLE

I-SCOTT

SCHICKERLING

V HEERDEN CAPSTICK

S MAUNDER

J SIMMONDS

YEANDLE

WILLIAMS

KIRSTEN

GRAY

KATA

VERMEULEN

TSHIUNZA

CAPSTICK

C-DICKIE

I-SCOTT

SCHICKERLING

V HEERDEN EWERS

S MAUNDER

SKINNER

KATA

C-DICKIE

WILLIAMS

YEANDLE

WILLIAMS

V HEERDEN GRAY

EWERS

TSHIUNZA

VERMEULEN

YEANDLE

I-SCOTT

SCHICKERLING

DUNNE

S SIMMONDS

S MAUNDER

J SIMMONDS

O’LOUGHLIN

V HEERDEN GRAY

EWERS

PEARSON

VERMEULEN

INNARD

HEPBURN

I-SCOTT

DUNNE

TSHIUNZA

S MAUNDER

J SIMMONDS

YEANDLE

WILLIAMS

KATA

DUNNE

V HEERDEN EWERS

PEARSON

VERMEULEN

INNARD

HEPBURN

I-SCOTT

JENKINS

TUIMA

S MAUNDER

BECCONSALL

NNARD

O’BRIEN

WILLIAMS

D JENKINS

V HEERDEN EWERS

PEARSON

VERMEULEN

FROST

SIO

SCHICKERLING

DUNNE

TUIMA

S MAUNDER

BECCONSALL

FEYI-WABOSO

YEANDLE

WILLIAMS

D JENKINS

V HEERDEN PEARSON

TSHIUNZA

VERMEULEN

FROST

SIO

SCHICKERLING

DUNNE

EWERS

S MAUNDER

BECCONSALL

KATA

NNARD

I-SCOTT

BELL

BAILEY

TUIMA

DAVIS

FISILAU

NOREY

SOUTHWORTH

JOHNSON

TEAGUE

GRONDONA

JAMES

CORNISH

F NOWELL

NNARD

I-SCOTT

DUNNE

PEARSON

TUIMA

DAVIS

FISILAU

FROST

SOUTHWORTH

SCHICKERLING

BAILEY

GRONDONA

CAIRNS

HENDRICKSON

WIMBUSH

YEANDLE

WILLIAMS

D JENKINS

GRAY

EWERS

TSHIUNZA

S SIMMONDS FROST

HEPBURN

I-SCOTT

V HEERDEN GRONDONA

BECCONSALL

KATA

HODGE

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP

16

17

18

19

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CLUB

20

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

29

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MANAGEMENT

EXETER CHIEFS ALI HEPHER HEAD COACH

OMAR MOUNEIMNE DEFENCE COACH TONY WALKER TEAM MANAGER ROB GIBSON ACADEMY MANAGER ADRIAN HARRIS DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE

ROB HUNTER FORWARDS COACH

JAMIE FULTON HEAD OF SPORTS MEDICINE ADAM REUBEN CLUB DOCTOR STEVE HAW PHYSIOTHERAPIST ALEX HOLLAND PHYSIOTHERAPIST JOSH KENNEDY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

RICKY PELLOW SKILLS COACH

JONNY MARKS PHYSIOTHERAPIST CHRIS STOKES PHYSIOTHERAPIST TOM EAST SPORTS REHABILITATOR MARK TWIGGS HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING ROB BEDDARD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

HAYDN THOMAS SENIOR COACH

JOE SATT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH NICK COX STRENGTH & REHABILITATION COACH ARON STRUMINSKI

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER GARETH ELLIOTT HEAD OF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

MATT TRIBBLE / OLLIE CHALK ANALYSTS GARETH STEENSON SENIOR COACH

KYE MUNSLOW OPERATIONS & KIT MANAGER

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SHORTS RUGBY SMITH SIDELINED UNTIL THE NEW YEAR WITH ANKLE INJURY Harlequins fly-half Marcus Smith has been ruled out until the new year with an ankle injury, sustained playing in England’s defeat by South Africa.

The 23-year-old started all four of England’s autumn internationals, but was forced off after 61 minutes of the 27-13 loss at Twickenham.

“He had a specialist look at him last week and he’ll have another one look at him next week but he’ll be out for this month,” said Harlequins head coach Tabai Matson. “I think early next year we’ll get a better prediction on how many weeks he’ll be out for.”

Smith has made four appearances for Quins so far this season and scored one try. He is set to miss at least the team’s first two European Champions Cup fixtures, away to Sharks and at home to Racing 92, as well as the Premiership match with Bristol at Twickenham on December 27.

McGUIGAN BOLSTERS OPTIONS FOR GLOUCESTER UP FRONT Gloucester have signed Newcastle Falcons hooker George McGuigan on a “long-term” contract.

The 29-year-old, who has played more than 180 Premiership games for Newcastle and Leicester, was part of England’s summer training squad.

He comes in as cover for England hooker Jack Singleton, who suffered a serious leg injury against Northampton Saints in the Premiership earlier this month.

Singleton has had surgery and is set to be out for an extended period.

“It’s a huge coup for the club that we’ve been able to secure someone of George’s talent,” Gloucester head coach George Skivington told the club website.

“While he will provide extra cover in the absence of Jack, he’s with us for the long term, and I’m excited to see the role he can play in helping the club reach its ambitions this season and beyond.”

McGuigan is among the leading try-scorers in the Premiership this season with seven already.

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MORAHAN TO LEAVE BEARS EARLY FOR NEW CHALLENGE AT BAYONNE Former Wallabies winger Luke Morahan is set to leave Bristol early to head to France and the Top 14.

The club have confirmed they will release Morahan - who has scored 47 tries in 107 appearances - from his contract and the winger will depart the club to Top 14 side Bayonne on December 28 Director of Rugby, Pat Lam, said: “Luke has been a tremendous leader and a foundation Bear who has driven the standards and set the bar for the next group of players.

“Luke was out of contract next summer and keen to stay – and while we were obviously keen to keep somebody of his quality and experience - the challenges of the reduced salary cap mean it’s impossible to keep hold of every player, a challenge that we are seeing across the Premiership now.

“He came to me with a fantastic, long-term offer from Bayonne on the proviso he joined now as a medical joker – and with the challenges of managing the salary cap meaning that we couldn’t guarantee him an offer to stay, we have granted his early release.”

ENGLAND COACH JONES SACKED AFTER SEVEN YEARS IN CHARGE Eddie Jones has been sacked as England head coach after seven years in charge.

Jones’ exit, confirmed by the Rugby Football Union on Tuesday, comes following a dismal autumn series and leaves England searching for a successor for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, which is nine months away.

The RFU said they would “conclude succession planning in the near future”, with former England captain and current Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick the favourite. Richard Cockerill is taking control in the interim.

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney expressed his gratitude for Jones’ work during his seven-year tenure, in which he boasted the highest “win ratio” of any England coach.

“It is important to recognise the huge contribution Eddie has made to English rugby, winning three Six Nations Championships, one Grand Slam and taking us to a Rugby World Cup final,” said Sweeney.

HOUGAARD SIGNS SHORT-TERM CONTRACT WITH SARACENS

Saracens have signed former Wasps back Francois Hougaard on a three-month deal to provide injury cover on the wing.

The 34-year-old South African, who joined Wasps in 2021 after five years with Worcester, has made more than 100 appearances in the Premiership.

Hougaard has been capped 44 times by the Springboks, the last time in 2017.

“Francois is a player with great experience and we are excited to see the impact he can make with us,” said Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall. .

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2022/23 MEN’S SQUAD JOE BAILEY 98KG (15ST 4LBS) LOCK 1.96M (6FT 5IN) 06/07/2004

RICHARD CAPSTICK (17ST 7LBS) BACK- 113KG 1.96M (6FT 5IN) ROW 13/02/2000

AIDON DAVIS (17ST 3LBS) BACK- 110KG 1.91M (6FT 2IN) ROW 29/04/1994

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WILL BECCONSALL (13ST 2LBS) SCRUM 84KG 1.83M (5FT 11IN) HALF 20/12/2002

OLI BURROWS (17ST) HOOKER 108KG 1.87M (6FT 1IN)

TOM CAIRNS (12ST 2LBS) SCRUM 78KG 1.74M (5FT 7IN) HALF 19/06/2002

FACUNDO CORDERO

SHEA CORNISH 83KG (13ST) WING 1.80M (5FT 10IN)

LUKE COWAN-DICKIE (17ST 4LBS) HOOKER 110KG 1.85M (6FT 1IN)

JACK DUNNE 120KG (18ST 10LBS) LOCK 2.03M (6FT 8IN)

DAVE EWERS (19ST 6LBS) BACK- 125KG 1.93M (6FT 4IN) ROW 03/11/1990

WING/ FULL-BACK

85KG (13ST 2LBS) 1.77M (5FT 9IN) 31/07/1998

OLLIE DEVOTO (16ST 2LBS) CENTRE 103KG 1.94M (6FT 4IN ) 22/09/1993

16/05/2002

22/07/2000

21/11/1998

20/06/1993

KIAN GENTRY (14ST 6LBS) CENTRE 93KG 1.87M (6FT 2IN)

JONNY GRAY 121KG (19ST) LOCK 1.99M (6FT 6IN)

SANTIAGO GRONDONA 106KG (16ST 6LBS) 1.98M (6FT 6IN) 25/07/1998

BEN GRUBB 110KG (17ST 3LBS) BACK1.84M (6FT) ROW 11/10/2002

BEN HAMMERSLEY 92KG (14ST 4LBS) WING 1.83M (5FT 11IN)

IESTYN HARRIS (16ST 3LBS) HOOKER 104KG 1.83M (5FT 11IN)

TOM HENDRICKSON (15ST 7LBS) CENTRE 100KG 1.84M (6FT)

ALEC HEPBURN 114KG (17ST 9LBS) PROP 1.86M (6FT 1IN)

ARCHIE HILL (14ST 2LBS) CENTRE 90KG 1.78M (5FT 10IN)

HARRY HOCKING (16ST 8LBS) HOOKER 107KG 1.85M (6FT)

JOSH HODGE 85KG (13ST 3LBS) FULL1.89M (6FT 2IN) 23/05/2000 BACK

STUART HOGG 93KG (14ST 6LBS) FULL1.80M (5FT 9IN) 24/06/1992 BACK

JACK INNARD (16ST 6LBS) HOOKER 106KG 1.82M (5FT 11IN)

JOSH IOSEFA-SCOTT 135KG (21ST 2LBS) PROP 1.94M (6FT 4IN)

ORSON JAMES (12ST 2LBS) SCRUM- 78KG 1.80M (5FT 11IN) 31/05/2004 HALF

DAFYDD JENKINS 117KG (18ST 4LBS) LOCK 2.01M (6FT 6IN)

27/03/2003

20/05/2003

18/12/2001

03/07/1995

14/03/1994

24/11/1998

19/02/2002

16/07/1996

BACKROW

01/09/1994

30/03/1993

05/12/2002

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IWAN JENKINS 82KG (12ST 9LB) FLY1.77M (5FT 8IN) 13/03/2003 HALF

DAN JOHN (13ST 2LBS) CENTRE 84KG 1.80M (5FT 10INS) 04/10/2001 WING

MATT JOHNSON 134KG (21ST 1LBS) PROP 1.92M (6FT 3IN)

SOLOMONE KATA (16ST 3LBS) CENTRE 104KG 1.80M (5FT 10IN)

BILLY KEAST 112KG (17ST 6LBS) PROP 1.84M (6FT)

JAMES KENNY 116KG (18ST 3LBS) PROP 1.84M (6FT)

OLLIE LEATHERBARROW

JACK MAUNDER (13ST 3LBS) SCRUM- 85KG 1.80M (5FT 10IN) 05/04/1997 HALF

SAM MAUNDER (13ST 3LBS) SCRUM- 86KG 1.84M (6FT) 22/03/2000 HALF

CHARLIE MCCAIG (14ST 8LBS) CENTRE 94KG 1.91M (6FT 2IN)

JACOB MORRIS 109KG (17ST 1LBS) PROP 1.82M (5FT 11IN)

MAX NOREY (16ST 3LBS) HOOKER 104KG 1.78M (5FT 10IN)

FRANKIE NOWELL (13ST 8LBS) WING/ 88KG 1.80M (5FT 10IN) CENTRE 22/11/2002

03/12/1994

BACKROW

107KG (16ST 8LBS) 1.85M (6FT 1IN) 08/04/2002

BEN MOON 115KG (18ST 1LBS) PROP 1.80M (5FT 10IN) 14/07/1989

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24/11/1996

16/04/2000

21/11/1997

26/05/1999

05/08/1999

BENJY JOSELAND 85KG (13ST 3LBS) WING 1.81M (5FT 9IN) 22/03/2000

JANNES KIRSTEN

LOCK/ BACK-ROW

115KG (18ST 1LBS) 1.96M (6FT 5IN) 01/12/1993

24/01/2003

JACK NOWELL 98KG (15ST 2LBS) WING 1.80M (5FT 11IN)

SEAN O’BRIEN (15ST 9LBS) CENTRE 101KG 1.87M (6FT 1IN)

RORY O’LOUGHLIN (14ST 9LBS) WING/ 95KG 1.89M (6FT 2IN) CENTRE 21/01/1994

ARTHUR RELTON 82KG (12ST 9LBS) WING 1.80M (5FT 11IN)

FIN RICHARDSON 120KG (18ST 8LBS) PROP 1.83M (6FT)

PATRICK SCHICKERLING

JOE SIMMONDS 91KG (14ST 3LBS) FLY1.83M (6FT) 19/12/1996 HALF

SAM SIMMONDS (17ST) BACK- 108KG 1.84M (6FT) 10/11/1994 ROW

HARVEY SKINNER 92KG (14ST 4LBS) FLY1.89M (6FT 2IN) 31/12/1997 HALF

HENRY SLADE (15ST 4LBS) CENTRE 98KG 1.76M (6FT 4IN)

SCOTT SIO 116KG (18ST 2LBS) PROP 1.87M (6FT 2IN)

DANNY SOUTHWORTH

MARCUS STREET 119KG (18ST 7LBS) PROP 1.85M (6FT 1IN)

CORY TEAGUE 108KG (17ST) LOCK 1.98M (6FT 6IN)

11/04/1993

17/06/2001

PROP

116KG (18ST 3LBS) 1.90M (5FT 11IN) 04/05/1999

12/05/1998

16/09/1998

06/02/1999

PROP

120KG (18ST 8LBS) 1.83M (6FT) 16/10/1998

19/03/1993

09/11/1999

LEWIS PEARSON

LOCK / BACK-ROW

112KG (17ST 6LBS) 1.94M (6FT 4IN) 26/10/1999

16/10/1991

STU TOWNSEND

SCRUMHALF

89KG (14ST) 1.76M (5FT 9IN) 11/10/1995

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CHRIST TSHIUNZA

RUS TUIMA (19ST 7LBS) BACK- 124KG 1.95M (6FT 5IN) 21/05/2000 ROW

RUBEN VAN HEERDEN 120KG (18ST 8LBS) LOCK 2.00M (6FT 6IN)

JACQUES VERMEULEN (18ST 7LBS) BACK- 119KG 1.95M (6FT 5IN) 08/02/1995 ROW

IAN WHITTEN (16ST 5LBS) CENTRE 105KG 1.89M (6FT 2IN)

HARRY WILLIAMS 126KG (19ST 8LBS) PROP 1.91M (6FT 4IN)

ZACK WIMBUSH (16ST 5LBS) CENTRE 105KG 1.96M (6FT 5IN)

OLLY WOODBURN 100KG (15ST 7LBS) WING 1.88M (6FT 2IN)

TOM WYATT (14ST) CENTRE 89KG 1.85M (6FT 1IN)

JACK YEANDLE (17ST 1LBS) HOOKER 109KG 1.85M (6FT 1IN)

LOCK/ BACK-ROW

114KG (17ST 9LBS) 1.98M (6FT 6IN) 09/01/2002

05/06/1987

14/12/1999

01/10/1991

27/10/1997

24/10/2003

22/12/1989

EXETER CHIEFS PLAYERS

To find out how you can sponsor one of the players Contact Sam McIntyre on 01392 890879 or email him at sammcintyre@exeterchiefs.co.uk

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18/11/1991

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TODAY’S OFFICIALS

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TOUCH JUDG TK: ANDREW

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43

VODACOM BULLS champions cup RECORD 2022/23 PLAYED

1

WON

1

DRAWN

0

LOST

0

HEAD COACH: Jake White

Founded: 1938 Ground: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, 440 Kirkness Street, Pretoria South Africa Capacity: 51,762

CAPTAIN: Marcell Coetzee

Website: www.bullsrugby.co.za Champions Cup Results: v LYON W 42-36

GROUND: Loftus Versfeld Stadium

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VODACOM BULLS Bulls coach Jake White said he will largely stick to the group of fringe players from last week for today’s Champions Cup showdown against Exeter Chiefs (1pm).

The Director of Rugby at Loftus Versfeld sprung a surprise last week by picking what could be described as a B team to face French club Lyon, as he rested his top players like Springboks Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie and Marco van Staden.

But they did the almost unthinkable to emerge 42-36 victors in Pretoria after running up a 28-0 lead in the first half, and then holding on desperately at the end for a deserved triumph.

46

Now they have had to deal with a 24-hour journey to England.

URC encounter at Cape Town Stadium over the Champions Cup game against Exeter.

“In a nutshell, it will be the same sort of guys who played last week, for a lot of reasons. I would like to give them an opportunity to build on what they did last week. They’ve gotten to know each other a lot better under pressure,” said White. “Also, we had to play Leinster last year in the semi-finals and then had to come back to play in Cape Town – the travel coming back and economy class tickets – I just thought we learnt from that last season.”

“We would like to do well in both competitions, but I am also a realist. To understand, and I think people need to appreciate it: To win the Champions Cup, it means that on three consecutive weekends, you have to beat Toulouse, Leinster and La Rochelle,” the former Springbok coach said.

“We are playing the Stormers next Friday night in Cape Town. We fly tonight via Doha, arrive in Exeter tomorrow evening 6pm, and then leave there early Sunday morning and get here midday Monday, and then expect us to be ready for the Stormers game …

“So, taking nothing away from the fact that we respect Exeter, we need to be at our best for the Stormers as well – and we are on a high after playing so nicely with this group of players. It’s about making sure we do what’s best for our group.”

Of course, the Bulls lost all three United Rugby Championship (URC) games to the Stormers last season – including the 18-13 defeat in the final – but White said it was not about prioritising next Friday’s

“Now I don’t want to be a defeatist, but to be realist: Do we have the squads in South Africa to match La Rochelle, Leinster and Toulouse on three consecutive weekends, away from home – as we will have to play (away) because of the participation agreement?

“It is not saying that every game doesn’t count, or that the URC is more important. To be fair, there is no way a group of players can fly around the world to play Exeter and then fly back to face the Stormers – it is about using the resources at our disposal.

“Exeter will also play us here in 40°C as they come out of their winter, so it will be a daunting task for them as well. If we had a week off next week, then definitely yes, I would take my main guys and give them a game. But the SA Rugby mandate is that we can only play them for 32 matches per season. So, you have to be very smart about how you use your players.”

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48

HEAD 2 HEAD

13 18 11 1 1 80 1 4 1

DAVE EWERS

TOTAL CARRIES TOTAL METRES TACKLES MISSED TACKLES TRIES SCORED mins played DEFENDERS BEATEN passes TURNOVERS WON

5 38 9 0 0 80 0 2 0

WALT STEENKAMP

TOP PERFORMERS TOP CARRIES

TOP METRES STUART HOGG OLLY WOODBURN JOSH HODGE

85

-

102

WANDISILE SIMELANE

73

-

57

STRAVINO JACOBS

46

-

56

STEDMAN GANS

DAVE EWERS

13 - 10 STEDMAN GANS

OLLY WOODBURN

12 -

9

WANDISILE SIMELANE

SAM SIMMONDS

10 -

8

NIZAAM CARR

LINEOUTS WON

TOP TACKLES JONNY GRAY

12 -

13

DAVE EWERS

11 -

12 BERNARD VAN DER LINDE

SAM SIMMONDS

11 -

9

REINDHART LUDWIG

NIZAAM CARR

DAFYDD JENKINS

5

-

3

MULLER UYS

JONNY GRAY

1

-

3

REINHARDT LUDWIG

RUBEN VAN HEERDEN

1

-

2

JANKO SWANEPOEL

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50

NIGEL WALROND Exeter Chiefs enjoyed another one of their great European occasions last Saturday night when they picked up an excellent bonus-point win in Castres.

It made for impressive viewing as the Chiefs welcomed back all of their internationals from the autumn Test matches.

It also levelled the scores at 1-1 for the EnglandFrance battles taking place that evening, coming as it did only an hour after England had seen their World Cup hopes dashed by France in Qatar.

A few hours before that, today’s visitors the Bulls were also getting their Champions Cup campaign off to a great start with a bonus-point 42-36 victory over Lyon.

Anyone who has listened to me on BBC Radio Devon over the past few months will know I am not in favour of South African teams playing in Europe’s top club competition, just as I would not be in favour of them replacing Italy in the Six Nations Championship.

last time it was available before it went to Eddie Jones. As expected, Jones was finally sacked last week, and while it is never nice to see someone lose their job, I just couldn’t see how England were going to win the World Cup in France next year if he remained in position.

White has been playing down the Bulls’ chances – and those of South African sides in general in the Champions Cup – during the past week, saying he saw little prospect of a repeat of the success last season in the United Rugby Championship, when the Stormers won the final in South African sides’ first year in the competition.

The Pretoria-based Bulls faced a 24-hour journey to get here today that included a flight to Doha before arriving in London, followed by a four-hour bus trip.

It just doesn’t sit right with me, and it will be a strange old day if the Champions Cup final next spring is being contested by two South African sides.

White was quoted as saying: “Do you genuinely think that our squads are strong enough to beat Toulouse in the quarter-finals, La Rochelle in the semi-finals and Leinster away from home in a final in three consecutive weekends?

That said, it doesn’t mean I am not looking forward to today’s match at Sandy Park. It should be a titanic battle – but I just wish it was not a Champions Cup tie!

“If you do then either you’re disconnected from reality or there’s going to be a lot of luck that’s needed for that team considering they’re also playing in the Currie Cup and the URC.”

Two of the three South African teams made winning starts to this year’s competition, with the Sharks seeing off a Harlequins comeback to triumph 39-31, but the Stormers went down 24-14 in my favourite European ground – Clermont’s Stade Marcel Michelin.

He added: “In a one-off game, you can maybe beat a top side. But to consecutively back it up week after week at the end of a long season against three teams that have a budget of 180 million rand as opposed to 70 million, I think we’re kidding ourselves.”

The Bulls’ director of rugby is Jake White, who was being touted for the England head coach job

Interesting comments. Enjoy today’s game.

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CLUB PARTNERS

Welcome and thank you to all of our partners for the 2022/23 season

For more information, contact the corporate sales team on 01392 890879 or email sammcintyre@exeterchiefs.co.uk 54

KEY CLUB PARTNERS

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55

RUBEN VAN HEERDEN

RUBEN READY TO ROAR INTO BATTLE AGAINST THE BULLS SOUTH AFRICAN UP AGAINST FAMILIAR FOES Ruben van Heerden has told his Exeter Chiefs team-mates to brace themselves for battle as they prepare to tear into the Bulls this afternoon in the Heineken Champions Cup. Having helped the Chiefs get their latest European adventure off to the perfect start with victory against Castres a week ago, the imposing South African finds familiar foes in his way in this Round Two encounter.

The 25-year-old started his senior career with the Pretoria-based club back in 2013 and stayed with them until 2018 before making the switch to the Sharks. Four years in Durban followed for the towering lock before he took up the offer of trying something new here in England.

One of a handful of new recruits brought to Sandy Park last summer, van Heerden has settled well to life in his new surroundings, scoring five tries already in just 11 first team appearances.

Today, though, he will be looking to plot the downfall of his former club, who arrived earlier this week from 30+ degrees back home to that of sub-zero temperatures here in Devon.

“I’m sure it was quite a shock to the system for them” said van Heerden. “That said, come kick-off I’m sure they’ll be warmed up and ready to have a good go at us. It’s going to be a special day, a historical day. I’ve been told this is the first time a South African side has come to Sandy Park, so that adds to the build-up of things.

“The Bulls, though, will be tough. Traditionally, they are the strongest club sides back in South Africa, winning plenty of Currie Cups and getting to the URC Final last season. It’s going to be a huge battle at the weekend.”

The Chiefs warmed up for the match with a hugely impressive win against Castres, who had until last weekend failed to lose on home soil this season. First half tries from Sam Simmonds and Dave Ewers laid the foundations for the win, before Sam Maunder and Olly

56

57

58

Woodburn crossed after the break to ensure Rob Baxter’s side headed home with a maximum haul of five points.

For van Heerden, it was a first taste of action at Europe’s elite level and the forward noticed a sizeable step up in standards.

“In terms of result, we could not have asked for anything better,” he said. “Getting five points has set us up nicely, but now we have to follow it up again this weekend.

“Playing in France, it was certainly a bit different to that of the Premiership. There was a big emphasis on the set-piece in particular. They had a big pack, they were very physical and, when they wanted to, they were happy to go with the offloads.

What we did, though, was we stuck to our script and we were able to put our game on them, especially in the second half.”

Now, van Heerden hopes a bumper Sandy Park crowd will get the chance to witness something similar against the Bulls, who themselves picked up five points in their home win over Lyon at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.

“The atmosphere here at Sandy Park is always amazing,” he added. “It’s a lot different to back home where you play in the big stadiums. Here, it’s a lot more enclosed and the fans’ feel on top of you. The noise they make and the way they get behind you is great, so hopefully we can give them plenty to cheer about come the weekend.”

59

WHO WE ARE

OUR MISSION

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation is a charity that exists with the sole aim of helping other charities.

All of the money we raise is donated to worthy causes in and around the city with a focus on supporting ‘tangible’ investments.

These have included funding building and renovation works, the installation of play equipment, and assistance with buying a large number of vehicles, ranging from minibuses to a boat for the Topsham Sea Scout Group.

Founded by club Chairman Tony Rowe OBE, the team of trustees is drawn from the Chiefs board of directors and the business community.

As well as deciding on how the charity’s money is shared, the trustees organise a number of fundraising events each year including the prestigious Devon Sports Awards, as well as pre-season and end of season gala dinners.

All charities in the greater Exeter area are able to apply for funds, either from an annual designated pot of money, or one-off donations (see more below).

The amounts awarded by the trustees range from a few hundred pounds, to a record £50,000 which was matched by the Exeter Summer Property Ball Committee and presented to Hospiscare to pay for the vital refurbishment of a 12-bed ward at Searle House in Exeter.

To date the Foundation has raised £2m.

“We are a fundraising organisation committed to improving the prosperity of the communities we serve by making donations that make people’s lives better.”

HOW THE CHARITY WORKS

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation raises funds in two ways: 1) Designated funds: This is the money generated on Exeter Chiefs match days through bucket donations and car parking. Each season we ‘adopt’ 20 charities who help to collect spare change and notes. At the end of the fundraising year, the cash is shared with our designated charities at a celebratory dinner. The list of charities is reviewed by the trustees annually.

2) Undesignated funds: These are funds that are generated by friends and supporters of the charity or any non-match related events organised by the Foundation. This money goes into a separate pot that any charity or organisation can apply for, at any time.

In January 2019, the Foundation received a record £350,000 non-designated donation following the fine imposed on Saracens after being found guilty of breaching the league’s stringent salary cap regulations. The Chiefs board of directors voted unanimously to hand over the club’s share of money.

EXETERCHIEFSFOUNDATION.ORG.UK

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CHARITIES SET TO BENEFIT FROM EXETER CHIEFS FOUNDATION THIS SEASON ARE CONFIRMED Charities across Exeter and its surrounding area are set to benefit from the fundraising efforts of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation during the course of the 2022/23 season.

Ambulance, Devon Rape and Sexual Abuse Services, Dream-A-Way, Exeter & East Devon Motor Neurone Disease Association, Exeter Athletic RFC, Exeter Community Initiatives, Exeter Dementia Action Alliance, Exeter Chiefs DSA, Exeter Food Action, Exeter Leukemia Fund, Exeter Lions Club, Force Cancer Charity, Freedomwheelers, Its In The Bag Cancer Support, Jay’s Aim, Living Options Devon, RAMM, RD&E NHS Trust, Royal Marines Charity, See The Future, South West MS Centre, Stanley Beau Foundation, Vranch House, Westcountry Hawks Wheelchair Rugby, Wooden Spoon Devon and Yoga for the Front Line – will all benefit from fundraising events and dinners across the year, together with collections at all Sandy Park match-days.

Exeter Foundation chairman, Tony Rowe OBE, said: “Every year we are seeing the Foundation grow in stature. The work it has done for all the charities since we launched it all those years has been simply fantastic.

“We know from speaking to all the charities involved that the funds we raise really do make a difference in so many ways.”

DESIGNATED CHARITIES

Established back in 2011 by the Exeter Chiefs and a selected group of local businessmen to help promote the local community and the vision of people who work there, the Exeter Chiefs Foundation has helped to not only transform the lives of many local people in need, but has helped to deliver significant investment to charities and organisations in need.

With over £2.5 million raised since its inception, the Exeter Foundation has helped to directly fund over 150 charities and organisations, including the designated charities selected each year and several other projects and schemes.

Last season close to £200,000 was raised and distributed by the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, helping to change lives and improve standards and facilities for so many different people.

During the 2022/23 season, a total of 32 charities – Age UK Exeter, Balloons, Brain Tumour Support, Children’s Hospice South West, Community Equality Disability Action, Dartmoor Search & Rescue, Devon Air

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2022/23

WOMEN’S FIXTURES, RESULTS & STATS 15

JUNE

MAY

APRIL

MAR

FEB

JAN

DEC

NOV

OCT

SEPT

DATE

TIME

13

12

11

10

9

OPPONENTS (KO)

RESULT

ATT.

17

15:00

A

DMP SHARKS

W 0-73

300

WOODMAN

McGILLIVRAY

McGOVERNE

DERERA

ROBINSON

BRADLEY

24

15:00

H

WORCESTER WARRIORS

L 21-23

4,112 BUCHANAN WOODMAN

McGILLIVRAY

McGOVERNE

DERERA

ROBINSON

BRADLEY

15

14:00

A

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

W 20-24 350

22

15:00

H

HARLEQUINS

19

15:00

H

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

BUCHANAN

DOIDGE

WOODMAN

LANGFORD

McGILLIVRAY

BUCHANAN

McGOVERNE ROBINSON

W 19-11

1,851 DOIDGE

BUCHANAN

LANGFORD

McGILLIVRAY

DERERA

McGOVERNE BRADLEY

L 17-25

1,156 DOIDGE

OUNSLEY

PREECE

LANGFORD

BUCHANAN McGOVERNE ROBINSON

26

12:00

A

DMP SHARKS

W 0-95

300

DOIDGE

OUNSLEY

PREECE

CANTORNA

BUCHANAN

McGOVERNE ROBINSON

3

15:00

H

WORCESTER WARRIORS

W 62-18

623

DOIDGE

WOODMAN

ZACKARY

CANTORNA

BUCHANAN

McGOVERNE ROBINSON

10

12:30

A

LOUGHBOROUGH

W 5-54

350

DOIDGE

MACDONALD

ZACKARY

CANTORNA

BUCHANAN

McGOVERNE ROBINSON

17

14:30

H

HARLEQUINS

7

TBC

A

SALE SHARKS

14

15:00

H

SARACENS

21

14:30

H

BRISTOL BEARS

28

TBC

A

WASPS

4

TBC

H

DMP SHARKS

18

TBC

A

WORCESTER WARRIORS

25

TBC

H

LOUGHBOROUGH

4

TBC

A

HARLEQUINS

11

TBC

H

SALE SHARKS

22

TBC

29

TBC

13

TBC

A

SARACENS

20

TBC

A

BRISTOL BEARS

27

TBC

H

WASPS

3

TBC

A

GLOUCESTER-HARTPURY

10

TBC

SEMI-FINAL

24

TBC

FINAL

CUP ROUND 6 CUP ROUND 7

LIVE FOR MATCH DAY 62

14

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

ROBERTS

MOLONEY GRIMES

FRYDAY

WILLETT

JEFFERIES LEITCH

ALLEN

NIELSON

MUZAMBE HANLON

ORCHARD

HARTLEY

McMAHON

ROBERTS

MOLONEY HANLON

FRYDAY

WILLETT

JEFFERIES LEITCH

ALLEN

NIELSON

MUZAMBE GRIMES

HAYES

McMAHON

LANGFORD PREECE

MIDDLEBROOKE MOLONEY HANLON

FRYDAY

LEITCH

JEFFERIES McMAHON

ALLEN

NIELSON

ROBERTS

ORCHARD

V-D VELDEN BRADLEY

MIDDLEBROOKE MOLONEY HANLON

FRYDAY

LEITCH

JEFFERIES McMAHON

ALLEN

NIELSON

MUZAMBE GRIMES

V-D VELDEN

ORCHARD

ROBINSON GOWER

MIDDLEBROOKE NIELSON

HANLON

FRYDAY

LEITCH

JEFFERIES ALLEN

V-D VELDEN

MOLONEY

MUZAMBE GRIMES

ORCHARD

FLEMING

McDONALD CANTORNA WOODMAN

MUZAMBE

NIELSON

HANLON

FRYDAY

FLEMING JEFFERIES LEITCH

ALLEN

MOLONEY

TURANI

V-D VELDEN JOHNSON

McDONALD WILKINS

WOODMAN

TURANI

NIELSON

HANLON

FRYDAY

LEITCH

JEFFERIES ALLEN

V-D VELDEN

MOLONEY

MUZAMBE JACOBY

FLEMING

JOHNSON

BRADLEY

WILKINS

PREECE

ROGERS

MOLONEY MENIN

FRYDAY

LEITCH

JEFFERIES ALLEN

JOHNSON

TUTTOSI

TURANI

FLEMING

McMAHON

BRADLEY

WILKINS

SINCLAIR

REPLACEMENT OFF THE BENCH

BENCH

GRIMES

JACOBY JACOBY

RED CARD

LANGFORD

23

DERERA

PREECE

DOIDGE GOWER WALKER

YELLOW CARD

63

Thank you for your support

64

#KEEPPERFORMING

65

5 54

66

5 4

T: FIELD

T: BUCHANAN, ALLEN, ZACKARY (2), FRYDAY, ROGERS, MACDONALD, SINCLAIR C: McGOVERNE (5), CANTORNA (2)

Loughborough: G Lingham; L Bolger (G Tasker 65), E Hardy, C Morrall (M Luthayi 75), C Williams-Morris, H Nelson, L Weaver (O Churcher 63), L Bartlett (K Trevarthen 53), B Field (K Waudby 60), C Belisle (I Curphey 17), E Wassell (L Ives Campion 52), M Talling, R Malcolm (capt, G Bradley 75), S Kabeya, D HibbertJones Chiefs: M Doidge; C MacDonald, K Zackary, G Cantorna, K Buchanan (E Sinclair 60), L McGoverne (R Wilkins 65), F Robinson (B Bradley 62); H Rogers (S Turani 50), C Moloney (E Tuttosi 50), D Menin (C Jacoby 62), P Leitch (capt), N Fryday (A Fleming 62); E Jefferies (E McMahon 55), M Allen, R Johnson.

Referee: O Taylor

MATCH STATS

38% 39% 202 1 P O SS ESS I O N

T E R R I TO RY

TAC K L ES

T R I ES

62% 61% 99 8 TOP PERFORMERS

RACHEL JOHNSON RACHEL JOHNSON NICHOLA FRYDAY 16 12 25 KATE ZACKARY POPPY LEITCH GABBY CANTORNA 13 11 22 MERRYN DOIDGE CLIODHNA MOLONEY MAISY ALLEN 12 8 20 67

68

69

62 18

70

2 8

T: ZACKARY, FRYDAY, McGOVERNE, NIELSON, ROBINSON, JEFFERIES, ALLEN, BUCHANAN, MUZAMBE, MOLONEY C: McGOVERNE (6)

Chiefs: M Doidge; K Buchanan, K Zackary (D Preece 70), G Cantorna (R Wilkins 55), C Woodman; L McGoverne, F Robinson (B Bradley 59); S Turani (P Muzambe 61), C Nielson (C Moloney 47), L Hanlon (C Jacoby 47); N Fryday (A Fleming 61), P Leitch (capt); E Jefferies, M Allen, L van der Velden (R Johnson 47).

T: LAFLIN, COX, WILLIS P: NICHOLAS

Warriors: C McNaney; D Wills, C Cox, A Kershaw, V Laflin (capt); S Nicholas (N Terry 56), T Sellors (J Kershaw 59); C Tremelling (S Evans 75), E Febry (L Skeldon 25), F Long (C Wells 56); N John, A Buckland-Hurry (L O’Donnell 56); S McCarthy (E Shermor 56), C Wright-Haley, T Bricknell (S Moreira 75).

Referee: D Jones

Attendance: 623

MATCH STATS

63% 60% 92 10 P O SS ESS I O N

T E R R I TO RY

TAC K L ES

T R I ES

37% 40% 166 3 TOP PERFORMERS

maisy allen POPPY LEITCH poppy leitch 19 13 23 KATE ZACKARY EBONY JEFFERIES SILVIA TURANI 15 10 22 NICHOLA FRYDAY CLARA NIELSON KATE ZACKARY 13 7 18 71

MANAGEMENT

EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN

SUSIE APPLEBY HEAD COACH

STEVE SALVIN ASSISTANT COACH

WOMEN CLUB PARTNERS Welcome and thank you to all of our partners for the 2022/23 season

MAIN SPONSOR

72

KEY CLUB PARTNERS

Proudly Supporting Exeter Chiefs

CROUCH, BIND, SET

Visit us in-store and at moleonline.com

73

2022/23 woMEN’S SQUAD MAISY ALLEN (11ST) BACK- 70KG 1.64M (5FT 4IN) ROW 21/09/2001

BROOKE BRADLEY (9ST 2LBS) SCRUM 58KG 1.60M (5FT 2IN) HALF 21/01/1999

MERRYN DOIDGE 68KG (10ST 7LBS) FULL1.75M (5FT 7IN) BACK 02/12/2000

NICHOLA FRYDAY 83KG (13ST 1LBS) LOCK 1.80M (5FT 9IN)

CHARLOTTE GALE 102KG (16ST) PROP 1.76M (5FT 8IN)

GABBY GOWER 73KG (11ST 5LBS) WING 1.52M (5FT)

GEORGIE GRIMES 97KG (15ST 2LBS) PROP 1.72M (5FT 6IN)

LIZZIE HANLON (13ST 2LBS) HOOKER 88KG 1.68M (5FT 5IN)

ISABELLA HARTLEY XXKG (XXST XLBS) BACK- 1.70M (5FT 5IN) ROW 16/12/2003

EBONY JEFFERIES (12ST 1LBS) BACK- 77KG 1.72M (5FT 6IN ) ROW 21/07/1993

POPPY LEITCH 76KG (11ST 9LBS) LOCK 1.72M (5FT 6IN)

CLAUDIA MACDONALD

07/07/2004

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23/05/2000

14/07/2001

04/07/1999

02/06/1995

30/07/2001

SCRUMHALF

65KG (10ST 3LBS) 1.72M (5FT 6IN) 04/01/1996

NANCY MCGILLIVRAY (12ST 3LBS) CENTRE 78KG 1.75M (5FT 7IN)

LIV MCGOVERNE (12ST 1LBS) CENTRE 76KG 1.74M (5FT 7IN)

EDEL MCMAHON (14ST 2LBS) BACK- 90KG 1.64M (5FT 4IN) 25/03/1994 ROW

ABBY MIDDLEBROOKE 80KG (12ST 6LBS) PROP 1.72M (5FT 6IN)

CLIODHA MOLONEY (12ST 6LBS) HOOKER 80KG 1.72M (5FT 6IN)

CLARA NIELSON (11ST 4LBS) HOOKER 72KG 1.62M (5FT 3IN)

DANIELLE PREECE (11ST 2LBS) CENTRE 70KG 1.75M (5FT 7IN)

MICHAELLA ROBERTS

FLO ROBINSON (10ST) HALF- 64KG 1.72M (5FT 6IN) 04/10/2001 BACK

LAURA SHEEHAN 65KG (10ST 2LBS) WING 1.62M (5FT 3IN)

LINDE VAN DER VELDEN

EVIE WALKER 65KG (10ST 1LBS) WING 1.80M (5FT 9IN)

MILLIE WHITEHOUSE (11ST) HOOKER 70KG 1.62M (5FT 3IN)

CHARLIE WILLETT 73KG (11ST 4LBS) LOCK 1.72M (5FT 6IN)

CHARLIE WOODMAN 70KG (11ST) WING 1.82M (5FT 10IN)

15/11/2002

31/05/1993

01/09/2002

02/06/1997

22/10/1992

24/09/1993

03/01/1995

16/08/2004

BACKROW

92KG (14ST 4LBS) 1.85M (6FT) 20/02/1995

25/03/1997

13/05/2002

PROP

94KG (14ST 8LBS) 1.72M (5FT 6IN) 25/10/1997

18/05/2004

JOSIE PLANT 84KG (13ST 2__LBS) LOCK 1.78M (5FT 8IN) 25/01/2005

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PROUD PARTNERS OF

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Company registration number 05984855. VAT Registration number 902737238 Registered office for all group companies: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.

77

COMMUNITY NEWS

women’s stars pass on knowledge to project rugby youngsters

Exeter Chiefs Women’s stars Halley Derera, Emily Tuttosi and Lori Cramer were on hand to pass on their rugby knowledge to youngsters from across Devon as part of the latest Project Rugby programme.

The Chiefs Community department has been delivering the programme – which is run in partnership with Gallagher – to schoolchildren from ISCA Academy, Plymstock Academy, Teignmouth and Torquay Academy since September.

Project Rugby is run by Premiership Rugby in collaboration with England Rugby and designed to increase participation in the game by people from traditionally under-represented groups: • Disabled people • Young people from ethnically diverse

78

backgrounds • Young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds

Welcoming 100 children to Topsham Rugby Club, youngsters practiced skills such as handling, kicking, as well as decision-making during a packed morning session, before putting their skills to the test during matches in the afternoon.

“It was great to see the children enjoying themselves,” said Richard Bright of the Chiefs Community Team. “Already we are seeing some of the children joining their local rugby club as a result of the programme. We look forward to delivering more Project Rugby sessions in the New Year and, hopefully, help more children transition into their local rugby clubs.”

79

TICKET INFORMATION BATH RUGBY

SATURDAY 24 DECEMBER KICK OFF: 3PM SANDY PARK

HARLEQUINS

SUNDAY 18 DECEMBER KICK OFF: 2:30PM SANDY PARK

WEST CENTRE WEST wings south stand centre south stand wings east terrace centre east terrace wings north terrace centre north terrace wings 80

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£80.00 £80.00 £80.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£70.00 £70.00 £70.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£56.00 £40.00 £26.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£40.00 £30.00 £20.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£44.00 £30.00 £20.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£40.00 £28.00 £17.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

east stand upper wings east stand upper centre

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£65.00 £65.00 £65.00

ADULT STUDENT CHILD

£75.00 £75.00 £75.00

£47.00 £35.00 £21.00

£44.00 £32.00 £19.00

TICKETHUB.EXETERCHIEFS.CO.UK

TISSOT SUPERSPORT CHRONO. SWISS MADE CHRONOGRAPH WITH INTERCHANGEABLE STRAPS. T I S S O T WAT C H E S . C O M

81

Heineken® 0.0. contains no more than 0.05% alcohol

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CHEERS TO ALL FANS

82