Vodacom Bulls Match Day Programme

CHEERS TO ALL FANS

welcome

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

“

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

PROUDLY SERVING THE TRADES & DIY SINCE 1770.

welcome

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

“

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

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

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!

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.”

hogg says it’s imperative chiefs build on castres win

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

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.”

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

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.”

Stuart Hogg described Exeter’s 27-12 Heineken Champions Cup win in Castres as one of the “special nights” for the 2020 champions.

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.

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.

“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

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.”

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

“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.”.

Exeter

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

“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.”

Chiefs Chief Executive Tony Rowe

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

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.

Yellow Card: Palis

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

24

WIN a weekend with Exeter Chiefs

Tickets for two to the Exeter Chiefs vs Gloucester game on 28 th January 2023 An overnight stay for two at Courtyard Exeter Sandy Park Hotel

OFFICIAL CLOTHING PARTNER

(2), FROST (2)

C: I JENKINS (6)

P: I JENKINS

T: MEEHAN, BLAKE, MORRIS, MORGAN REEVES

C: BARTON (4)

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.

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

I-SCOTT

I-SCOTT

WILLIAMS

YEANDLE STREET DUNNE GRAY KIRSTEN TSHIUNZA CAPSTICK INNARD KENNY SCHICKERLING V HEERDEN EWERS J MAUNDER O’LOUGHLIN CORDERO YEANDLE STREET DUNNE GRAY KIRSTEN TSHIUNZA CAPSTICK INNARD KENNY SCHICKERLING V HEERDEN EWERS J MAUNDER KATA CORDERO

C-DICKIE WILLIAMS V HEERDEN GRAY EWERS TSHIUNZA CAPSTICK YEANDLE KENNY SCHICKERLING JENKINS S SIMMONDS S MAUNDER O’LOUGHLIN HOGG INNARD RICHARDSON PEARSON TEAGUE LEATHERBARROW VINTCENT TUIMA NOREY SOUTHWORTH JOHNSON BAILEY GRUBB JAMES WYATT F NOWELL C-DICKIE WILLIAMS DUNNE D JENKINS KIRSTEN VERMEULEN S SIMMONDS YEANDLE I-SCOTT SCHICKERLING V HEERDEN CAPSTICK S MAUNDER J SIMMONDS KATA YEANDLE WILLIAMS KIRSTEN GRAY VERMEULEN TSHIUNZA CAPSTICK C-DICKIE I-SCOTT SCHICKERLING V HEERDEN EWERS

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

RUGBYSHORTS

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.

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.

JUDGES: JONATHAN DUFORT & VINCENT BLASCO BAQUE ANDREW PEARCE

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.

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

“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 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

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

“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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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. 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?

“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.”

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.”

Interesting comments. Enjoy today’s game.

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

RUBEN VAN HEERDEN

Woodburn

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.”

crossed after the break to ensure Rob Baxter’s side headed home with a

WHO WE ARE

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.

OUR MISSION

“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.

DESIGNATED CHARITIES

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.

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

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.”

ROBERTS MOLONEY GRIMES FRYDAY WILLETT JEFFERIES LEITCH ALLEN NIELSON MUZAMBE HANLON ORCHARD HARTLEY McMAHON LANGFORD PREECE ROBERTS MOLONEY HANLON FRYDAY WILLETT JEFFERIES LEITCH ALLEN NIELSON MUZAMBE GRIMES HAYES McMAHON LANGFORD PREECE DOIDGE MIDDLEBROOKE MOLONEY HANLON FRYDAY LEITCH JEFFERIES McMAHON ALLEN NIELSON ROBERTS GRIMES ORCHARD V-D VELDEN BRADLEY DERERA GOWER MIDDLEBROOKE MOLONEY HANLON FRYDAY LEITCH JEFFERIES McMAHON ALLEN NIELSON MUZAMBE GRIMES V-D VELDEN ORCHARD ROBINSON GOWER WALKER 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 JACOBY 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 JACOBY FLEMING McMAHON BRADLEY WILKINS SINCLAIR

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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

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.”

CHEERS TO ALL FANS