Newcastle Falcons Match Day Programme

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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

Stadium Operations Director: Mark Isaacs

Sales and Marketing Director: Lisa Duncan

Finance Director: Nicky Teague

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, Brian Tempest and Getty Images

welcome

They say a week in sport can be a long time, but in reality I don’t think we wanted to wait too long to put right the wrongs of our disappointing performance at Twickenham a week ago.

On an afternoon to forget in terms of our men’s side, today we have the chance to get ourselves firmly back in the play-off picture with a big performance against Newcastle Falcons.

Our home form, compared to that of last season, has certainly been impressive and once again we have created a fortress-like feel here at Sandy Park. Sadly, it’s been on the road, together with our lack of bonus points, that have hindered us so far in getting firmly in that top four mix.

That’s why, not only do we need to respond this afternoon with one of those big home performances, but we then need to back it up when we hit the road again in a few weeks’ time.

As is the case after every game, I go down to the changing rooms for the post-game huddle. Last week it was a dark place, but the encouraging thing was the response I saw from the coaches and the players themselves that performances like that they turned in were simply not acceptable.

I’ve no doubt that having reviewed the game this week, as well as addressing a few home truths

across the board, we will see a reaction of sorts come kick-off today.

On the flip side, I was delighted to see our women’s side mark their debut appearance at Twickenham with an excellent win over Harlequins Women.

That success not only ensured a 12th consecutive bonus point victory, but ensured Susie Appleby’s side maintain their position at the top of the Allianz Premier 15s table heading into this weekend’s latest round of matches.

The form shown by our women’s side this season has been nothing short of fantastic and I was very pleased to see that the performances of a number of our players have been duly rewarded with callups into various Six Nations squads.

To all those selected, I offer them my congratulations and wish them well for the upcoming tournament.

CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE EXETER RUGBY CLUB

TONY ROWE CBE

“

I’ve no doubt that having reviewed the game, as well as addressing a few home truths, we will see a reaction of sorts come kick-off today

ROB baxter

We are at the stage of the season and the situation in the Gallagher Premiership table where every game is almost a do or die game.

As a side, we’re very aware that our away form, compounded by a lack of bonus points, means we are in the middle of a seven-team scrap for two places in the top four.

Looking at things right now, we genuinely are going to be in almost cup tie rugby until the end of the season, particularly as there isn’t much room for error in the Premiership and in our other two competitions we are in the Premiership Rugby Cup Final next weekend, as well as the last 16 of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Last week against Harlequins was one of those games that gives you a bit of a slap in the face. Being brutally honest, we never really got any intensity or pace into our play, plus we compounded errors on a regular basis to give them plenty of opportunities to play with field position and the freedom of penalty advantage. We never really fired any shots and in truth the game was all about them.

It is obviously a concern, but we have a lot of players still learning to deal with the emotional challenges of the Premiership season, especially when you move from a tense, very important win against Sale Sharks on a Sunday afternoon to that of facing Harlequins in the Big Game at Twickenham, especially when they have had two weeks of preparation.

This was the area we got most wrong. As a coaching staff, we know that needs to start with us early in the week and, in hindsight, we certainly got the start of the training week wrong. We were probably all a little frustrated with missing the bonus point against Sale and actually the players in the changing room after that game looked a little down.

We needed to bounce on from that moment and get excited about being involved in a great occasion but, sadly, that never really happened.

One thing that is now very clear is that we are in a must-win situation this afternoon at home against Newcastle Falcons.

We are not alone in showing some inconsistency in the league – and we are still certainly in the fight – but we have to play like that this weekend and show everyone what playing for the team and the club really mean.

My biggest hope this weekend is that we are an easy team to support.

Finally, can I take this opportunity to welcome Dave Walder, together with his fellow coaches, players, officials and supporters of Newcastle Falcons, who have made the long trek down from the North East.

All the Best Rob

pellow praises young chiefs after notable display against the navy

Ricky Pellow praised his young Exeter Chiefs side as they recorded a 43-28 victory over the Royal Navy at Sandy Park.

In what has become an annual fixture on the calendar for both sides, it was the hosts who prevailed thanks to tries from Josh IosefaScott, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Rus Tuima, Facundo Cordero, Zack Wimbush, Jacob Morris and Orson James, who also kicked four conversions.

The game, however, did see the competitive returns of first-team stars Marcus Street, Iestyn Harris and Ollie Devoto following long-term injuries. For Devoto in particular, it was his first outing in over a year having undergone surgery on both of his hips.

The England International had a 40-minute run-out before being withdrawn, while Street and Harris also got decent game minutes into them as part of their return to action.

“In terms of what we wanted to get from the game, I think we hit all the areas this evening,” said Pellow. “It was great to see the three long-term guys coming back from injury and getting some minutes under their belts. Devo, I thought, was outstanding and you could see his experience and his communication coming to the fore throughout.

“Equally, having both Marcus and Iestyn back as well, that really helps thicken out those front-row options as we had to what is going to be a busy end to the season. Having them back,

challenging for places and being available for selection, it’s what we want.”

Pellow added: “It was also good to see some of those younger players get their first taste of senior action. Guys like Jeremy Tuima, Barnaby Elderkin, George Edson and Bobby Wigginton, they’ve been part of the Under-18s squad this season and now they are stepping up to this next level.

“We also had a few other senior academy guys like Cory Teague, Joe Bailey, Frankie Nowell and Manny [Feyi-Waboso] who I thought did really well. For a few of them it was their chance to add some leadership to the group and they did that very well. All in all, I thought it was a great night for everyone.”

PROUDLY SERVING THE TRADES & DIY SINCE 1770.

WILLIAMS SET FOR LENGTHY SPELL ON THE SIDELINES

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, is fearing the worst for prop Harry Williams after scans revealed he has sustained significant damage to his left knee in last weekend’s Gallagher Premiership clash with Harlequins. The England international picked up the injury just 18 minutes into Big Game 14 at Twickenham and had to be replaced by Marcus Street at tight-head.

Asked to give an update in his weekly media briefing, Baxter said: “Harry looks as though he has a pretty significant injury. The scans aren’t good, but he will need to see a surgeon and that will then give us a better idea of things.”

The 31-year-old forward joined the Chiefs in 2015 from Championship side Jersey Reds. Since then, he has helped the club lift two Premiership Rugby titles, as well as the Heineken Champions Cup. He has featured 163 times for the Chiefs, scoring 18 tries in the process. He has also won 19 Test caps for England.

The loss of Williams is somewhat curtailed by the return to action of Marcus Street, who had been sidelined since October with a long-term knee injury.

six nations call-ups for a number of appleby’s all-conquering women’s squad

Exeter Chiefs Women’s success so far this season has been rewarded with a number of Susie Appleby’s squad being selected in squads for the upcoming TikTok Women’s Six Nations Championship.

Captain Poppy Leitch is leading the way after she was one of three Chiefs named in Simon Middleton’s 42-strong England training squad.

Leitch has been joined in the Red Roses party by Claudia MacDonald - who was part of last year’s Rugby World Cup squad - and Nancy McGillivray, who earns her first senior call-up.

England start their campaign against Scotland in Newcastle on March 25, before hosting Italy at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens a week later.

Middleton said: “There are a number of new faces in the squad and while we are missing experienced

players, this is a great opportunity for these younger players and we’re looking forward to working with them.”

Elsewhere, three further Chiefs form part of Ireland’s 32-player squad for the tournament. Nichola Fryday will once again lead her country into the competition and she is joined in the squad by Edel McMahon and, for the first time, Clara Nielson.

Fryday said: “It is always an exciting time of year and we’re hugely motivated as a group to to build on the positive aspects of last season and continue to grow and evolve under Greg McWilliams and the coaching team.

For Wales, there are also call-ups for Abbie Fleming and Robyn Wilkins, who have both been named in a 36-strong squad named by head coach Ioan Cunningham.

cup final tickets now on sale

Tickets for next week’s Premiership Rugby Cup Final are now available to purchase for Exeter Chiefs supporters.

The Devonians booked their place in the final with a 46-3 victory over Sale Sharks at Sandy Park in the semi-final.

Exeter’s six-try success means they will now face London Irish at the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, March 19, kick-off 2pm.

The Exiles, who were beaten in last season’s final by Worcester Warriors, booked their place in the semi-finals with a 38-19 victory over Northampton Saints.

The Chiefs have previously won this competition twice before. The first

was back in 2014 when they defeated Northampton Saints at Sandy Park. The second time was in 2018 when they defeated Westcountry rivals Bath 28-11 at Gloucester’s Kingsholm Stadium.

Full price Adult tickets are £15 and children’s tickets at £5, except in the Platinum and Ticket+ areas where all tickets will be £40. There are no junior ticket prices in these areas.

Fans who wish to book their tickets are asked to visit www.london-irish.com

A supporters’ coach will be in operation for the Cup Final at a cost of £40 per person. If you wish to book a place on the coach, please visit the Exeter Chiefs ticket hub.

Harlequins: N David, C Murley, J Marchant, A Esterhuizen, J Bassett (L Northmore 57); M Smith, D Care (S Steele 73); J Marler (F Baxter 69), G Head (S Riley 27), W Louw; D Lamb (I Herbst 64), S Lewies (cast); J Kenningham (L Wallace 56), J Chisholm (W Evans 64), T Lawday. Replacement (not used): S Kerrod.

Yellow Card: Bassett

Chiefs: J Hodge; J Nowell (capt), I Whitten (T Hendrickson 50), S Kata (J Simmonds 50), O Woodburn; H Skinner, S Maunder (J Maunder 62) S Sio (D Southworth 53), J Innard (J Yeandle 50), H Williams (M Street 18); J Gray (J Dunne 50), D Jenkins; J Vermeulen, C Tshiunza (D Ewers 53), S Simmonds

Yellow Card: Skinner

Referee: M Carley

Attendance: 54,669

MATCH STATS

57% 60% 148 5

43% 40% 109 1

TOP PERFORMERS JACQUES

T: MURLEY, BASSETT, MARCHANT (2), LEWIES C: SMITH (5)

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 S MAUNDER SKINNER KATA

C-DICKIE WILLIAMS V HEERDEN GRAY EWERS TSHIUNZA VERMEULEN YEANDLE I-SCOTT SCHICKERLING DUNNE S SIMMONDS S MAUNDER J SIMMONDS O’LOUGHLIN

YEANDLE WILLIAMS V HEERDEN GRAY EWERS PEARSON VERMEULEN INNARD HEPBURN I-SCOTT DUNNE TSHIUNZA S MAUNDER J SIMMONDS KATA

YEANDLE WILLIAMS DUNNE V HEERDEN EWERS PEARSON VERMEULEN INNARD HEPBURN I-SCOTT JENKINS TUIMA S MAUNDER BECCONSALL O’BRIEN

INNARD 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

INNARD I-SCOTT BELL BAILEY TUIMA DAVIS FISILAU NOREY SOUTHWORTH JOHNSON TEAGUE GRONDONA JAMES CORNISH F NOWELL

INNARD I-SCOTT DUNNE PEARSON TUIMA DAVIS FISILAU FROST SOUTHWORTH SCHICKERLING BAILEY GRONDONA CAIRNS

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CLUB

HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP

T:

C: SKINNER (3)

P:

T:

C:

Chiefs: J Hodge; J Nowell (capt), I Whitten, S Kata (T Hendrickson 67), O Woodburn; H Skinner, S Maunder (J Maunder 64); S Sio (D Southworth 60), J Innard (D Frost 49), H Williams (P Schickerling 60); J Kirsten (M Williams 60), J Dunne; D Ewers (A Davis 64), J Vermeulen, S Simmonds. Replacement (not used): J Simmonds.

Yellow Card: Skinner

Sharks: J Carpenter; T Roebuck (S McIntyre 29-39), R du Preez, R Mills, T O’Flaherty (A Reed 66); G Ford, G Warr (R Quirke 60); B Rodd (S McIntyre 78), E Ashman, C Oostehuizen (J Jones 64); C Wiese, J Hill; J Ross (capt, J Beaumont 60), S Dugdale, J-L du Preez. Replacements (not used): E Caine, A Groves, S James.

Yellow Cards: Dugdale, Rodd

Referee: L Pearce

Attendance: 9,336

MATCH STATS

59% 50% 134 3

POSSESSION

41% 50% 268 3

TOP PERFORMERS

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MANAGEMENT EXETER CHIEFS

TONY WALKER

TEAM MANAGER

ROB GIBSON

ACADEMY MANAGER

ADRIAN HARRIS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE

JAMIE FULTON

HEAD OF SPORTS MEDICINE

ADAM REUBEN

CLUB DOCTOR

STEVE HAW

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ALEX HOLLAND

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

JOSH KENNEDY

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

JONNY MARKS

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

CHRIS STOKES

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

TOM EAST

SPORTS REHABILITATOR

MARK TWIGGS

HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

ROB BEDDARD

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JOE SATT

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

NICK COX

STRENGTH & REHABILITATION COACH

ARON STRUMINSKI

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

GARETH ELLIOTT

HEAD OF PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS

MATT TRIBBLE / OLLIE CHALK

ANALYSTS

KYE MUNSLOW

OPERATIONS & KIT MANAGER

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

ROB HUNTER FORWARDS COACH

RICKY PELLOW SKILLS COACH

HAYDN THOMAS SENIOR COACH

GARETH STEENSON SENIOR COACH

ALI HEPHER HEAD COACH

OMAR MOUNEIMNE DEFENCE COACH

RUGBYSHORTS

GRAHAM TO HEAD TO FRANCE AT END OF THE CURRENT CAMPAIGN

Newcastle Falcons flanker Gary Graham will leave the North East club at the end of the season join French side Carcassonne.

Graham joined the Falcons from Jersey in 2017 and has scored 17 tries in 95 appearances.

The 30-year-old also has four caps for Scotland, despite having been named in an England Six Nations squad in 2017.

He has signed a two-year deal with Carcassonne, who play in France’s Pro D2 league, but are in danger of relegation to the Nationale division. Meanwhile, the Falcons have this week signed hooker Corbin Thunder, who was left without a club when Wasps entered administration.

The 19-year-old has been training with the Sharks in his home city of Durban, but can play for Newcastle immediately.

“This chance at the Falcons feels like a once-in-alifetime opportunity,” he said.

MATSON DELIGHTED AS MARLER EXTENDS STAY WITH HARLEQUINS

England prop Joe Marler has signed a new contract to stay at Harlequins.

The 32-year-old has been with the club, who have not disclosed the length of the deal, since he joined their academy in 2009 and has made 260 appearances.

He has won two Premiership titles and the 2011 Challenge Cup during his time at the Twickenham Stoop.

“I love this club, I love the fans and I love pulling on this jersey,” he said. “I feel honoured and privileged to have been able to do that for so long and, hopefully, be able to retire form the game at this wonderful club where it all started for me.”

Marler won the last of his 79 England caps against France during last season’s Six Nations Championship.

“We’re thrilled to have big Joe sign on again with us,” said head coach Tabai Matson. “He’s a tone-setter for our team and a key leader on the pitch. When Joe speaks, people tend to listen, so we’re delighted to have him continue his time with Quins.”

HURRICANES STAR CITED AFTER HE MADE GESTURE TO LOUWRENS

Hurricanes rugby star Ardie Savea has been cited for alleged foul play over his controversial cut-throat gesture against the Melbourne Rebels in last weekend’s Super Rugby clash.

Although the Hurricanes won, the incident was the talk of social media during and after the match at AAMI Park. The loose forward was given a yellow card for his involvement in an all-in brawl just before the break.

As he walked off, the irate No.8 gestured to half-back Ryan Louwrens, prompting team-mate Reece Hodge to complain to referee James Doleman, “he’s threatening to kill him.”

The incident, which contravened Law 9.27 regarding good sportsmanship, was captured on match footage and subsequently reviewed by the Citing Commissioner, whoi later determined the incident has met the threshold for a red card.

He will now face a SANZAAR Foul Play Review Committee, who will consider the evidens and decide an appopriate penalty, if any.

CHERRY & WHITES RECEIVE BOOST AS ACKERMANN AGREES NEW DEAL

Gloucester head coach George Skivington says he is delighted after South African forward Ruan Ackermann penned a new contract with the club.

The 27-year-old has amassed over 120 appearances for the Cherry & Whites since joining them from the Golden Lions in 2017.

“Ruan is one of the most consistent performers in the Premiership,” said Skivington. “He doesn’t always get the credit he deserves, but he’s certainly appreciated here by the club and the fans too. The back-row is an area of real strength for us and I’m looking forward to seeing him get better and better.”

Gloucester have also confirmed that England international Ben Morgan will retire at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old joined the club in 2012 from the Scarlets and has played more than 180 times for the club. He has also won 31 Test caps for England.

BEARS BRING IN MARMION AFTER UREN ASKS FOR EARLY RELEASE

Bristol Bears hasve signed Ireland scrum-half Kieran Marmion for next season with Andy Uren set to join Benetton Treviso.

The 31-year-old, who has 28 caps for his country and has made 222 appearances for Connacht, played under Bears Director of Rugby Pat Lam at the Irish side, where they won the Pro 12 title in 2016.

Bristol-born Uren requested an early release from his contract to join the Italian United Rugby Championship side at the end of the the current campaign.

The home of domestic rugby

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

REFEREE: TOM FOLEY

TOUCH JUDGES: JONATHAN HEALY &

4TH OFFICIAL: DAN JONES

TMO: ROWAN KITT

OPPOSITION

premiership rugby all-time RECORD

PLAYED 524

WON 197

DRAWN 19

LOST 308

Founded: 1877

Ground: Kingston Park Stadium

Brunton Road

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

NE13 8AF

Capacity: 10,200

Website: www.newcastlefalcons.co.uk

Biggest Win: 56-10 v Rotherham Titans (2003)

Heaviest Defeat: 10-83 v Leicester Tigers (2005)

HEAD COACH: Dave Walder

CAPTAIN: Micky Young

GROUND: Kingston Park

NEWCASTLE FALCONS

Newcastle Falcons head coach Dave Walder is targeting a fast start from his side as they prepare to face Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership.

Undone by London Irish a week ago, the Falcons leader was once again left to bemoan a poor opening to the contest at Kingston Park, one in which his side trailed 19-0, before they levelled things up, only to eventually fall to a 34-19 defeat.

“It was hugely frustrating and we’ve spoken about it again this week,” he said. “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb and it was like we were wating to be smacked in the chops before we actually woke up.

“We then showed after that opening 20 minutes what we were capable of, getting ourselves back to 19-19, but then to let them back in so soon was a real kick in the teeth.”

As much as Walder was proud of his side’s resilience as they fought back, he said the Falcons could ill afford a similar outcome against the Chiefs, who will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt from their 40-5 humbling by Harlequins in Big Game 14 at Twickenham. Away form has been poor for the Devonians this season, including a 24-21 loss to the Falcons back in November. On home soil, however, they have been hugely impressive with only Saracens winning at Sandy Park this term, that thanks to a last-gasp kick from Alex Goode.

“It’s always a tough game, but any away game in the Premiership is tough,” warned Walder. “Going to Exeter, they are always friendly and they put up that friendly front, but deep down you know they will be doing all they can to get that competitive advantage.

“They are, however, a very well run club and the set-up they have down there is fantastic. They’ve put real investment into their facilities and a lot of what they do is very good.

“For us, though, the result is all we care about. It will be tough, but we’ll go down their with confidence and we execute in that first 20 minutes, then we will give ourselves a great chance. The key is starting well!”

Team news for the visitors sees Freddie Lockwood come in at blind-side as the Falcons aim to complete a homeand-away double over the Devonians.

Elsewhere, Elliott Obatoyinbo comes in at full-back in an otherwise unchanged back line - the only other switches in the side seeing Pedro Rubiolo move into the secondrow and Richard Palframan come in at tight-head prop.

On the bench there could be a first Premiership appearance of the season for wing Iwan Stephens.

Walder added: “Exeter are a strong side and even though they had a heavy defeat at Harlequins last week, we’re under no illusions about the quality we’ll be facing. We’ve beaten them once this season we won down there on our last visit, but it all hinges on getting our processes right and implementing the game plan.”

45 51 46

TRIES SCORED 9 9 1ST HALF 36 42 2ND HALF SCORED CONCEDED CHIEFS FALCONS CHIEFS FALCONS 0-20MINS 2 2 9 17 21-40MINS 7 7 14 16 41-60MINS 10 7 14 16 61-80MINS 32 29 13 15

CHIEFS FALCONS 22M RESTART 0 1 50M RESTART 1 0 FREE-KICK 0 0 KICK RETURN 7 2 LINE-OUT 20 29 SCRUM 6 3 TAP PENALTY 7 2 TURNOVER WON 8 8 GOAL LINE RESTART 0 0 50M RESTART RETAINED 0 0 LINE-OUT STEAL 2 0

TRY SCORES FROM START POSSESSION BRETT CONNON 106 pts MATEO CARRERAS 55 pts GEORGE McGUIGAN 35 pts MATEO CARRERAS 11 TRIES GEORGE McGUIGAN 7 TRIES JAMIE BLAMIRE 6 TRIES

LINE-OUT/SCRUM STATS LAST FOUR MEETINGS

Gallagher Premiership (Kingston Park, 25/11/22

FALCONS 24 / CHIEFS 21

Gallagher Premiership (Kingston Park, 20/2/22)

FALCONS 14 / CHIEFS 15

Gallagher Premiership (Sandy Park, 6/11/21)

CHIEFS 14 / FALCONS 15

Gallagher Premiership (Sandy Park, 30/5/21)

CHIEFS 74 / FALCONS 3

THE FORM GUIDE

HARLEQUINS (A) 40-5

SALE SHARKS (H) 24-22

SALE SHARKS (H)

GLOUCESTER (H)

DANGERMAN

ADAM RADWAN

Winger Adam Radwan re-joined the Falcons’ senior academy in the summer of 2017 after a string of impressive performances for the A-Team and in the Premiership 7s.

The former Billingham RFC, Middlesbrough RFC and Hartlepool Sixth Form College man is renowned for his pace and finishing ability.

A star for the Falcons in the 2016 Singha 7s, Radwan spent the back part of the 2016-17 season with National One Club Darlington Mowden Park, having made his Falcons first team debut in the Anglo-Welsh Cup trip to Saracens.

Radwan’s progress continued during the 2017-18 campaign, during which he won the Anglo-Welsh Cup Breakthrough Player Award. His pace and evasive running saw him as the top try-scorer during the European Challenge Cup, including back-to-back hat-tricks against Enisei-STM.

Radwan made his Premiership debut during 2017-18, capping off a memorable year by winning Falcons’ Academy Player of the Season and helping the Falcons to the final of the World Club 10s in Mauritius.

LONDON IRISH (H) 19-34

SARACENS (A) 29-23

BRISTOL BEARS (A) 30-12

CONNACHT (H) 35-21

During 2018-19 Radwan scored his first Premiership try during the away game at Bristol, and also scored his first Heineken Champions Cup try away to Edinburgh. Helping the Falcons to promotion during the 2019-20 campaign with a string of eyecatching tries, he continued his progression with seven tries in 11 games during the 2020-21 season, earning a call-up for England’s 2021 summer internationals.

Taking his opportunity with both hands he scored a hat-trick on his England debut against Canada in July 2021, earning the fans’ man of the match in the process, and going on to to be invited to further England training squads during the 2021-22 season.

NIGEL WALROND

WHAT is it with Exeter Chiefs and playing at Twickenham?

It is now 12 times the Chiefs have run out at English rugby headquarters, and 10 occasions it has resulted in a defeat, which is a pretty poor record by anyone’s standards.

They lost four EDF Energy Cup, or equivalent, finals when they were a National One club, four Premiership finals, and now two Big Games to Harlequins.

The two victories were against Wasps in those wonderful Premiership final successes in 2017 and 2020. In fact, they seem to have an aversion to playing in London in general this season. Their two worst performances by a country mile have come at Saracens and Harlequins. But if they are to get anything out of this up and down campaign, they need to put that right, and quickly.

Next Sunday, they play London Irish at Brentford in the Premiership Rugby Cup final, and they also visit Irish again on the final day of the regular league campaign in early May.

Winning their remaining home games is not going to be enough to secure a place in the Premiership top four, so they need to sort out an away record that has incredibly seen them win only once on the road this season, and that was that amazing 50-14 triumph at Bristol Bears in October, which feels like a lifetime ago now.

Of course, they also won at Worcester Warriors just before they went out of business but that result has been expunged from the records.

In recent seasons, Sandy Park has become less of a fortress but Chiefs have done well on their travels.

But this campaign things have turned around, with Fortress Sandy Park returning, but wins on their travels proving elusive.

They still have to visit Bath, Leicester and Irish, and lose those three and not only will they miss out on the top four but they could finish outside the top eight and deny themselves a place in next season’s Heineken Champions Cup for the first time in many a season, it is that tight between third and ninth in the table.

I was on my sick bed last Saturday with an awful virus so was unable to make it to Twickenham, and it proved a good one to miss, but at least those fans who made the journey could enjoy another excellent performance from the Exeter Chiefs Women with a 54-25 victory over Quins.

Susie Appleby, her fellow coaches and players are doing a fantastic job. They went into this weekend sitting one point clear at the top of the Premier 15s table.

Before I sign off I must wish Harry Williams a speedy recovery after the knee injury he picked up at Twickenham last Saturday.

With Rob Baxter describing the injury as ‘significant’ this week, it looks unlikely we will see the big fella pulling on an Exeter shirt again before his summer departure from the club, and that is a sad way for such a great servant of the club to say goodbye.

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ROUND 19 REVIEW

BRISTOL BEARS 62

T: Randall (2), Thacker, Lloyd (2), Vui, Kloska, Harding, Heenan C: MacGinty (4), Williams (3); P: MacGinty

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 8

T: Hendy P: Smith

LEICESTER TIGERS 48

T: Potter, Pollard, Montoya (2), Liebenberg, Wells

C: Pollard (5), Atkinson; P: Pollard (2)

BATH 27

T: Gallagher, Spencer, McNally, Lee-Warner; C: Spencer (2); P: Spencer

HARLEQUINS 40

T: Murley, Bassett, Riley, Marchant (2), Lewies

C: Smith (5)

EXETER CHIEFS 5

T: Innard

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 19

T: Daltonm Blamire, Fearns;

C: Connon (2)

LONDON IRISH 34

T: Basham, Pearson, Fischetti, Cornish, Hassell-Collins; C: Jackson (3); P: Jackson

SALE SHARKS 35

T: Carpenter (2), S James, Ross, du Preez;

C: du Preez (5)

SARACENS 24

T: Lewington, Dan Pifileti

P: Goode (2), M Vunipola

TOP POINTS SCORERS

TOP TRY SCORERS

TOP METRES MADE

TOP CARRIES MADE

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ROUND 20 FIXTURES

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OFFICIAL SUPPLIERS

FROST COMES OUT OF THE COLD TO STAR FOR CHIEFS

HOOKER EXPECTS REACTION AGAINST FALCONS

There was a time earlier in the season when Dan Frost didn’t even know if he would be plying his trade again in the Gallagher Premiership.

Like many at former club Wasps, the all-action hooker was facing an uncertain future. The collapse of the former European and Premiership heavyweights was headline-making news, but underlined the perilous state the club game in England had suddenly found itself in.

The demise of Wasps and Worcester Warriors was heart-breaking for everyone associated with the two clubs. For the players themselves, one day they were reporting for training, the next they were on the rugby scrapheap, unsure where and what would be happening next in their playing careers.

It was troubling times for all, including the 25-year-old forward, but thankfully the Exeter Chiefs were monitoring the situation and it was Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, who swooped to sign not only Frost, but Wasps club-mates Alfie Bell, Greg Fisilau and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso.

“It was crazy times,” explained Frost. “Nobody knew how things were going to pan out. One day I was at Wasps training, the next we were all called into the meeting and told that was it. Thankfully, Rob came in for me pretty quickly and was able to come down to the Chiefs.”

Frost’s return to his native Westcountry in October was certainly timely and since then he has quickly settled to life at Sandy Park, providing a viable and potent option to the Exeter front-row.

To date, the Taunton-born hooker has featured nine times, bagging three tries in the process. Today, he lines up for a Chiefs side looking to bounce back from last weekend’s Twickenham torment, where they went down 40-5 to Harlequins in Big Game 14.

On a day to forget for the Devonians, Frost admits some tough talking post-game and again this week had helped to focus the minds ahead of this afternoon’s must-win encounter against Newcastle Falcons at Sandy Park.

“There was some tough talking, but it was needed,” said Frost. “Last week wasn’t up to scratch and was not what you call an Exeter Chiefs performance. That said, we can’t let it get us down too much, we needed a response and we need to bounce back this weekend.

“Being at home gives us the perfect opportunity to do that. Being back in front of our fans, playing at home, we have all the ingredients to show our reaction.”

Despite the loss a week ago, Frost insists the Chiefs remain upbeat, particularly as they strive not only to reach the Premiership play-offs, but the latter stages of the Heineken Champions Cup and, of course, next weekend’s Premiership Rugby Cup Final against London Irish.

“For all the doom and gloom, we’ve still got a great opportunity to attack on three fronts,” said Frost. “Being here, seeing the squad that we have at our disposal, then why can’t we do well on three fronts. We’ve got this weekend, which is huge, but then we’ve got a Cup Final to look forward and then a last 16 tie in Europe.

“As players we can’t focus on the past, we have to look to the future and that’s what we will be doing. We’ve had some good meetings this week, got a few things off our chests, and the vibe around the place has been really encouraging. Now, we’ve just got to take all of that out onto the field this weekend.”

Standing in the way of the Chiefs today will be a Falcons side, who despite their lowly position in the table, still have plenty about them to throw a spanner into the works.

“They are a side that always play for the full eighty,” warned Frost. “The game that sticks out is the one against Saracens, they were down to 14, 13 men at times, but they didn’t give up. We know that we will need to bring our A game this weekend because if we switch off, that’s when they will cause you problems. They are a decent side who can really challenge you, so we’ve got to be ready to meet that threat head on.”

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.

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.”

WOMEN’S FIXTURES, RESULTS & STATS

LIVE FOR MATCH DAY

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

ROGERS MOLONEY MENIN FRYDAY LEITCH JEFFERIES ALLEN JOHNSON TUTTOSI TURANI JACOBY FLEMING McMAHON BRADLEY WILKINS CRAMER

ROGERS TUTTOSI MENIN FRYDAY FLEMING JEFFERIES JOHNSON ZACKARY NIELSON TURANI HANLON LEONARD LEITCH BRADLEY WILKINS CRAMER

ROGERS MOLONEY MENIN FRYDAY LEITCH JEFFERIES ALLEN JOHNSON TUTTOSI TURANI JACOBY V-D VELDEN McMAHON BRADLEY WILKINS McGILLIVRAY

ROGERS MOLONEY MENIN FRYDAY LEITCH JEFFERIES McMAHON JOHNSON TUTTOSI TURANI JACOBY V-D VELDEN SENFT BRADLEY WILKINS McGILLIVRAY

TURANI TUTTOSI JACOBY FRYDAY LEITCH JOHNSON McMAHON ZACKARY NIELSON ROGERS MENIN LEONARD SENFT ROBINSON SHEEHAN

REPLACEMENT OFF THE

T: PACKER, DOW, SIMS

C: McKENZIE, TUIMA

P: McKENZIE (2)

Harlequins: F Aucken; A Dow, L Tuima, B McKenzie (B Blacklock 58), L Torley (B Wilcock 55); E Scott (cc) (R Dobson 71), L Packer (E Swords 53); H Sims (S Cooper 71), 2. Amy Cokayne (cc), C Edwards (B Latsha 53); K Leaney, S Bonar (R Galligan 10); L Brooks, E Robinson, K Mew (E Chancellor, 58).

T: ZACKARY (2), ALLEN, JOHNSON, JEFFERIES, MACDONALD (2), McGILLIVRAY

C: McGOVERNE (7)

Chiefs: M Doidge; E Sinclair (L Cramer 69) K Zackary, G Cantorna (N McGillivray 72), C MacDonald; L McGoverne, F Robinson (B Bradley 74); H Rogers (S Turani 74), C Moloney (E Tuttosi 44), D Menin (C Jacoby 74); N Fryday (L Van Der Velden 69), P Leitch (capt); E McMahon (E Jefferies 1), M Allen, R Johnson.

Referee: D Jones

Attendance: 15,000

MATCH STATS

56% 51% 136 3

44% 49% 171 8

T: ROGERS (2), ALLEN (3), JOHNSON, LEITCH

C: McGOVERNE (4), CANTORNA

Chiefs: M Doidge (L Cramer 65); E Sinclair, K Zackary, G Cantorna, C MacDonald, L McGoverne (R Wilkins 61), F Robinson (B Bradley 71); H Rogers (A Middlebrooke 61), C Moloney (C Nielson 56) D Menin (L Hanlon 67), N Fryday (L Van Der Velden 52) P Leitch (capt); E McMahon (E Jefferies 52), M Allen, R Johnson.

Lightning: C Rollie; F Goldthorp, B Mataitoga, E Hardy (G Bourke 75), B Westcombe-Evans (C Morrall 50); H Nelson, M Davey; K Trevarthen (G Clifford 68), B Field, C Belisle (D Harper 45); E Wassell, M Talling (C O’Donnell 50); R Malcolm (capt), S Kabeya, S Hunter (D Hibbert-Jones 62, G Tasker 68). Replacement (not used): L Weaver

Referee: M Hudson

Attendance: 1,406

MATCH STATS

53% 62% 136 7

47% 38% 140 1

TOP PERFORMERS HOPE

T: KABEYA

MANAGEMENT EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN

MAIN SPONSOR KEY CLUB PARTNERS

SUSIE APPLEBY HEAD COACH

STEVE SALVIN ASSISTANT COACH

PROUD PARTNERS OF

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Renault Exeter 14a Marsh Barton Rd, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8NT

Hyundai Exeter Unit 15, Trusham Rd, Marsh Barton, Exeter EX2 8QQ

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Exeter Van Centre

youngsters benefit from project rugby

Youngsters from across the region have been given a positive introduction into rugby thanks to the Exeter Chiefs Community department.

Out and about at Teignmouth Secondary, ISCA, Plymstock School, Torquay Academy, Orchard Manor, as well as Girls Pitch Up and Play sessions at Topsham RFC and Tiverton RFC, around 1,000 children have benefitted from the Project Rugby programme.

Aimed at youngsters from the age of 14 and upwards, the programme run by Premiership Rugby in collaboration with England Rugby is designed to increase participation in the game by people from traditionally underrepresented groups:

• Young people from ethnically diverse backgrounds

• Young people from lower socio-economic backgrounds

• Disabled People

Community coach Richard Bright said: “As a result of this programme, many children have now joined their local grassroots rugby club. It is great to see so many children enjoying rugby and wanting to take part more often as a result of the programme.”

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