Bath Rugby: Match Day Programme

CHIEFS VS BATH RUGBY

SAT 6 APR I SANDY PARK I KO 15:00

CHEERS TO ALL FANS

WELCOME

A WARM EPCR WELCOME TO THIS ROUND OF 16 MATCH IN THE 2023/24 INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP AS COMPETITION FOR A COVETED PLACE AT THE LONDON FINALS WEEKEND REALLY BEGINS TO INTENSIFY.

With Investec on board as a new title partner, a truly compelling series of pool stage fixtures saw new tournament records set for attendances, television audiences and social media engagement, and it’s win or bust now for the elite clubs which remain in contention to reach the Investec Champions Cup showpiece match at the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 25 May.

The clubs with the highest rankings from the pool stage earn home advantage in the Round of 16 and quarter-final matches, and if a reminder was needed of the sheer quality of this season’s competition, the clubs which qualified for the knockout stage had a total of 29 EPCR titles between them.

We are delighted to be joined on the journey to London by Investec, by our premium partner, Heineken, and by our official partners, DHL, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Georgia Rugby Marketing Hub, as well as by our official supporters, Tissot, Gilbert and Kappa, and also by our official airline partner in South Africa, Qatar Airways.

TNT Sports, ITV and RTÉ in the UK and Ireland, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions in France, and SuperSport in South Africa continue to provide comprehensive and innovative broadcast coverage, while FloRugby in the USA and Canada are showcasing the matches to more viewers than ever across the globe.

We hope that you enjoy the match and we take this opportunity to send our best wishes to you, the fans, to your club’s players and staff, and of course to our match officials, as we anticipate the ecstasy and occasional agony that go hand-in-hand with world-class knockout rugby.

Yours in rugby,

DOMINIC MCKAY

EPCR CHAIRMAN

WELCOME

GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO TODAY’S INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP LAST 16 GAME AGAINST BATH RUGBY.

We head into this knockout rugby game after an exciting and entertaining group stage during which we sealed notable victories against Toulon, Munster and Glasgow Warriors.

This competition is one of great importance to us and it has created some unforgettable moments for several Chiefs squads throughout our history, most notably our fantastic double-winning team of 2020. It is a competition which consistently creates memories to last a lifetime for players, coaches, and supporters.

Our squad have already developed so much throughout this year’s competition – from a nailbiter at the Stade Felix Mayol to a commanding performance against determined Irish opposition when Munster visited us here in Devon.

I believe many of you will agree that watching this aspiring group of valued veterans and talented young players excel so far this season has been incredibly enjoyable and we all look forward to seeing what more the season can hold.

As you will have seen, we have begun to announce our player re-signings for the 2024/25 season, starting with Harvey Skinner, Lewis Pearson, Rusi Tuima and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso. A season ticket is the perfect way to ensure you

TONY ROWE CBE

CHAIRMAN AND CEO EXETER RUGBY CLUB

are there to watch every game at home next season and don’t miss a minute of your favourite players in action, so be sure to secure yours if you haven’t already.

I would like to personally thank everyone joining us today for being a part of our second sellout crowd of the season. You help to bring a loud and lively atmosphere to Sandy Park which I know translates to impressive performances on the field as our squad thrive with your support.

Finally, please join me in extending a very warm welcome to the Bath Rugby directors, coaches, players and supporters. We hope you have a fantastic day at Sandy Park.

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ROB BAXTER OBE

AFTER A BRIEF RETURN TO GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ACTION, WE NOW GET BACK TO THE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP WITH OUR GAME TODAY AGAINST OUR NEAR NEIGHBOURS, BATH RUGBY.

Our journey to get here has been a great experience for us and had some exciting and memorable moments.

At the start of the season with a new, youthful team the prospect of playing Munster, Glasgow Warriors, Bayonne, and Toulon could have been a little daunting but in some ways, starting the competition away in Toulon helped us attack from the start with everything to gain from claiming some away points.

Anyone who was watching on TV will have seen how the game unfolded and have enjoyed it, but the atmosphere within the ground was truly incredible and the way we stuck to our guns and stayed in the game, before pushing through in the last quarter, is a memory that will stay with me forever.

Getting that crucial away win gave us every opportunity to progress in the pool knowing two good home performances would likely see us progress. Two hard, tight battles against Glasgow and Munster – both of which had emotional highs and lows – saw us head to Bayonne in the final round unbeaten and in a unique position of knowing where we would end up in the rankings before our game kicked off.

To be honest, I think the wind was taken from our sails the evening before the game when we knew we couldn’t improve our ranking even with a good win and this played some part in a rather flat performance in Bayonne.

However, the reward for the three wins is today’s game in the Last 16 against Bath. In many ways this couldn’t be better for us. Our games

against Bath are always really well supported by both teams’ followers and at this stage of the competition, playing in front of a big, vocal crowd at Sandy Park will be a great experience.

Hopefully we can make it a game that our supporters can live and breathe with us and we can potentially make even more memories!

Enjoy your day!

Rob

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

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CLUB NEWS

TUIMA COMMITS TO CHIEFS

Exeter Chiefs have locked in another player for the future as Rusi Tuima has become the latest player to re-sign with the club.

The flamboyant forward transitioned from back row to second row at the outset of this season and has hit his stride in his new position.

Tuima said, “It’s an exciting group we’ve got and the things we’ve accomplished have been amazing, and I’ve loved every second of learning and growing alongside these boys.”

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter added, “I think Rusi is showing an awful lot of qualities of a modern, big, ball-carrying second row forward and he’s having lots of impact in a very important way for us in a team that is playing very well.”

FOUR CHIEFS WOMEN IN SIX NATIONS ACTION

Congratulations to the four Exeter Chiefs women currently involved in Guiness Women’s Six Nations action. Edel McMahon represents Ireland as international captain while Mairi McDonald has been featuring for Scotland.

In England camp, Maddie Feaunati made her debut against Italy on opening weekend while Lizzie Hanlon has continued to be a part of the Red Roses squad.

CHIEFS WOMEN REPRESENT USA AND CANADA

Four Chiefs Women helped the USA women’s team to a warm-up game win against South Africa at Ealing Trailfinders’ ground last Saturday.

Congratulations to Hope Rogers, Rachel Johnson, Olivia Ortiz and Gabby Cantorna.

USA’s neighbours Canada have also had their squad

bolstered by the inclusion of Chiefs players Emily Tuttosi, DaLeaka Menin and Alex Tessier as they also prepare to enter into the 2024 Pacific Four Series competition.

THE BOY WHO ENVISIONED PLAYING SUPER BUCS RUGBY FOR UNIVERSITY OF EXETER THIS YEAR HAS ONLY RECENTLY RETURNED FROM AN INTERNATIONAL DEBUT FOR ITALY IN THE GUINNESS SIX NATIONS.

Ross Vintcent has been a stalwart amongst the ranks of Exeter Chiefs’ emerging young stars this season. Brought into Rob Baxter’s squad to add to training numbers at the outset of 2023/24, the 21-year-old was hoping to manifest a first team appearance. As April arrives, he has 19 Chiefs appearances, nine Chiefs tries and four Italian caps to his name. With exceptional pace and explosive combativeness, Vintcent has thrived within the Chiefs environment – earning respect of coaches and teammates alike. And following impressive performances throughout the Six Nations, the youngster has drawn the focus of media and rugby fans. However, he has not let that attention draw his focus.

“How I’ve dealt with it is just to try to be myself with everyone I come into contact with. To try to stick to my values, keep working hard and keep focusing on my university work too. I’m

POSITION: BACK-ROW

HEIGHT: 1.87M (6FT 1IN)

WEIGHT: 100KG (15ST 7LBS)

just trying to be the same person I was before the Six Nations.

“I’m trying to keep taking things one week at a time. It would be an amazing opportunity to keep wearing that jersey, but nothing is guaranteed in this sport, so you’ve got to take it one step at a time and keep trying to learn.”

With both Italy and Chiefs, Vintcent is a part of two squads who have focused a great deal on the development of their youth in recent seasons. In Devon, the South-African born back rower is supported by the likes of Ethan Roots and Dafydd Jenkins while for the Azzurri, he looks to emulate the work of players like Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza and captain, Michele Lamaro.

“The two environments are a little similar in that both teams have given young players experience on such high-pressure stages. I think, just like Chiefs, the Italy boys have taken the opportunity with two hands and expressed themselves. I’m very lucky to be part of both set-ups.”

Considering his eye-catching season, it is easy to forget that in September 2023, Vintcent was envisioning a season of BUCS Super Rugby with the University of Exeter – where he continues his studies alongside domestic and international representation.

Since those early days of the season, he has made three different debuts – in the Gallagher Premiership, the Investec Champions Cup and the Guinness Six Nations. Through it all, Vintcent has taken every step in his stride.

“I’VE SORT OF BEEN THROWN IN THE DEEP END A LITTLE BIT, BUT I WOULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR IT ANY OTHER WAY.”

“I’ve sort of been thrown in the deep end a little bit, but I wouldn’t have asked for it any other way. I was expecting to play BUCS this year with all the uni boys but I’m proud that they gave me a chance here at Chiefs. To be honest, I’ve just enjoyed every moment with this team, and I know there are still some exciting moments to come.”

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MANAGEMENT EXETER CHIEFS

ROB BAXTER OBE

DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

TONY WALKER TEAM MANAGER

ROB GIBSON

ACADEMY MANAGER

ADRIAN HARRIS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE

JAMIE FULTON

HEAD OF MEDICAL SERVICES

STEVE HAW

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

SCOTT MUNRO

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

LEAD ACADEMY

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ALI HEPHER HEAD COACH

OMAR MOUNEIMNE DEFENCE COACH

ROSS MCMILLAN SCRUM COACH

ROB SHEEHAN

UNIVERSITY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

DAN FEASY

JUNIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ANDY DAVIES

SPORTS REHABILITATOR

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

LOUISE PASSMORE

MEDICAL SECRETARY

JOHN GARMIN

CLUB DOCTOR

HAYDN THOMAS SENIOR COACH

MARK TWIGGS

HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

ROB BEDDARD

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

NICK COX

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

REHABILITATOR

LES BARROW

SENIOR STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

ROB HUNTER FORWARDS COACH

RICKY PELLOW SKILLS COACH

GARETH STEENSON SENIOR COACH

JAMIE NEMMER-THAYER

UNIVERSITY HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JACK PERRY

UNIVERSITY STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

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FROM THE PRESS BOX

AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ACTION, WE ARE BACK TO THE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP TODAY AND A MOUTH-WATERING WESTCOUNTRY DERBY AGAINST OLD FOES BATH RUGBY.

It will be the first of two clashes with the Somerset side in the space of three weekends, with Bath also back here at Sandy Park in a fortnight’s time for what will be a massively important league clash.

After a weekend of some amazing results and big scorelines, only seven points cover second to eighth spot in the table as the teams battle it out for a top-four finish and a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

If Exeter had been able to win at Sale Sharks last Sunday, they would have put themselves firmly in the driving seat in second place in the table, with only four matches remaining. Instead, it is Bath who hold that position, with the Chiefs down in sixth spot, two points outside the top four.

It was always going to be a tough task at the Salford Community Stadium against a side with all of their internationals back and knowing they were in the last-chance saloon in terms of their own hopes of reaching the Premiership semi-finals.

That was how they played the game, but what was disappointing was that the Chiefs barely fired a shot in the opening 40 minutes, and as has happened several times this season on their travels, when they did start to string it together, they had left themselves with too big a mountain to climb.

They are probably going to need to win at least one of their two remaining away games, at Gloucester and Leicester Tigers, and defeat both Bath and Harlequins at home, if they are going to extend their season beyond the regular league programme.

Today is a switch of focus to a competition that always excites me. The carrot of a possible quarterfinal trip to Toulouse – if as expected they beat Racing 92 this weekend, though they currently lie second and third in the French Top 14 table, with only eight points separating them in Toulouse’s favour – awaits the winners today.

Toulouse’s Stade Ernest-Wallon is the one of the last few big, historic European venues that myself and my summariser John Lockyer have yet to visit during this remarkable journey with the Chiefs, and we would dearly love that to be next weekend.

That in itself will cause some problems, with the ridiculously short time between the round of 16 and quarter-final fixtures giving supporters, broadcasters and even the clubs themselves very little time to make arrangements.

One hoped EPCR would have learned the lessons of last season, and the nightmare experienced by South African sides in making the trip to the UK at such short notice, but sadly not, and we have that situation again to have to deal with.

I am sure both of the Exeter and Bath defence coaches have been busy this week after the two sides shipped 41 and 40 points respectively last weekend! But, if the weather plays ball, we will no doubt be in for a pretty high-scoring spectacular today, given the attacking talent on show.

NIGEL WALROND

INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP SEASON OVERVIEW:

FOLLOWING A THREE-GAME WINNING STREAK IN THE OPENING ROUNDS OF THE INVESTEC CHAMPIONS CUP, BATH RUGBY ARRIVE AT SANDY PARK TODAY LOOKING FOR A LAST 16 WIN TO PROGRESS THEIR SEASON.

Having not been involved in last season’s edition of the competition due to a tough 2021/22 campaign, Chiefs’ west country rivals have returned this year with a bang. Combining a flare-fuelled and strategic backline with a pack of dominant and combative forwards has been a recipe for success for Bath.

The knockout round’s top seeds Toulouse were too strong in the final match of the pool stages at the Stade Ernest Wallon, running in four tries to Bath’s three. However, Bath had already secured their place in the last 16 having caused opposition problems in the opening three rounds.

They returned to the competition with a confident performance against Ulster in front of a raucous home crowd in round one. The following week, they pushed Cardiff Rugby all the way in Wales before repeating the feat against Racing 92 for a 29-25 victory at the Rec in the third round.

Today, they will come up against the Chiefs with a point to prove; that they are well on the journey to returning to their title-challenging best.

HEAD COACH:

JOHANN VAN GRAAN

Brought into the Bath Rugby fold in the summer of 2022, South African Johann Van Graan has become a favourite amongst the Recreation Ground faithful who have seen him lead their team from the bottom of the table to genuine top four Gallagher Premiership contenders.

Van Graan began his coaching career with the Blue Bulls under the leadership and tutelage of Heyneke Meyer. In his time with the franchise, he assisted their forwards and attacking processes, helping the side to secure three Super 14 titles.

In the years that followed his first appointment, Van Graan took charge as Springboks forwards coach, most notably during the 2015 Rugby World Cup, before taking up the coveted position of Munster Rugby head coach in 2017.

Having led the Irish province to two Champions Cup semi-finals, three league semi-finals and a Pro14 final in a five-year spell, he moved to the West Country for a new challenge.

ONE TO WATCH: FINN RUSSELL

The maverick man from Bridge of Allan, Finn Russell has come a long way since starting his rugby journey with Stirling County – winning a league title with Glasgow Warriors, moving to France to play amongst the stars with Racing 92 before relocating to the west country where he has hit the ground running with Bath Rugby.

Off the back of a varied Guinness Six Nations campaign as co-captain of Scotland, the British and Irish Lion, has slotted right back into an exceptional club backline.

A running and kicking threat to any defence, the Scot continually seems to surprise crowds as well as himself with the feats he can pull off. With a true enjoyment for the game which shines through, it is hard to take your eyes off the man pulling the strings in Bath’s back line.

1. First team you played rugby for?

Devonport Services and Oxford

Harlequins

2. First influential coach?

My dad

3. Have you played in any other position?

Centre and hooker

4. Rugby hero/inspiration?

Jonah Lomu

5. First professional game?

Saracens away in a NYE game

6. Best away ground?

Stade Felix Mayol

7. Best rugby memory?

The win against Toulon away this season

8. Go-to pre-match meal?

Chicken and pasta with sauce followed by rice pudding

9. Nickname

Greggles

10. Favourite takeaway?

KFC

11. Favourite book?

Atomic Habits by James Clear

12. Sports teams you follow away from rugby?

Chelsea

13. Tea or coffee?

Tea

14. Last thing you listened to?

Real Ones podcast

15. Favourite film?

Surfs Up WE

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COMMUNITY UPDATE

HITZ'S HUGH IS IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN!

Enriching educational programmes is often down to the leaders placed to head up and provide the content supplied, and at HITZ we strive to make that practice as enjoyable and supportive as possible.

This academic year, Hitz has been lucky enough to have one individual who is showing the very best example of leadership, resilience and humility. Who not only lives and breathes his love of rugby but has his own sporting achievements to be proud of too. Though he’ll play down those massive events because modesty is also a trait we have spotted.

In April 2023, Hitz student Hugh Allum Pearce completed the London Marathon in 5hrs 32mins, raising £5,000 for the National Charity for Deaf Children and in January of this year he took part in the Hong Kong marathon completing that in 5hrs 14mins!

Since birth Hugh has been profoundly deaf and also lives with Hemiplegia but this hasn’t stopped him joining the mixed ability rugby team at Exeter Saracens! His cochlear implant, sharing his BSL

skills and his open nature allows him to integrate confidently into the setting and he’s smashing it!

As a season tickets holder at Exeter Chiefs, Hugh rarely misses a men’s or women’s home game, so when asked which players he’d most like to meet, he didn’t hesitate in saying Jack Yeande!

So, when Exeter Chiefs played Newcastle Falcons at home on the 23rd March we were delighted to make that dream come true. Hugh got to meet Jack after the game, drinking in all he’d witnessed on the field and the excitement of the dugout post-match!

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP - SUNDAY 31 MARCH

41 5

Tries: Roebuck (3), Cowan-Dickie, Warr, Quirke

Tries: Feyi-Waboso Yellow Cards: Hodge

Cons: Ford (3) Pens: Ford

Sharks: J Carpenter; T Roebuck, R Du Preez, M Tuilagi (James 66’), T O’Flaherty; G Ford, G Warr (Quirke 53’); B Rodd (Harrison 58’), L Cowan-Dickie (Taylor 58’), J Harper (Opoku-Fordjour 58’), C Wiese, J Beaumont, E Van Rhyn (Dugdale 9’), B Curry (Andrews 66’), JL Du Preez (Bamber 60’).

Chiefs: J Hodge; I Feyi-Waboso, H Slade, W Rigg (Wimbush 55’), O Woodburn; H Skinner (Haydon-Wood 58’), S Townsend (Cairns 53’); S Sio (Southworth 46’), J Yeandle (Frost 46’), E Painter (Street 46’), D Jenkins, C Tshiunza, R Vintcent (Pearson 1’, Vintcent 9’), R Capstick (Dunne 58’), G Fisilau (Pearson 53’).

Referee: Hamish Smales

EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN

KEN KABONGO P HYSIOTHERAPIST

MAT WILLIAMS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

JOEL RANFT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

OLLIE CHALK

SUSIE APPLEBY HEAD COACH

JACKIE COLES TEAM MANAGER

CAT MOORE TEAM MANAGER

ANALYST

STEVE SALVIN ASSISTANT COACH

BEN MARTIN ASSISTANT COACH

EXETER CHIEFS FOUNDATION’S BIG WALK IS BACK FOR 2024.

Join us at Sandy Park on Saturday, May 11th for our charity walk.

The 10 mile walk, in aid of the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, is a circular route which starts and finishes at Sandy Park.

Enjoy the camaraderie with your own team or join other walkers to take in the scenic route through the River Exe Valley.

A well-earned pint and pasty are included in your entry and await you at the finish line. Then it will be time to rest your legs and enjoy the main event as Exeter Chiefs take on Harlequins in the final home game of the regular season.

There are a limited number of places available, so don’t delay and sign up today. Entry is £50 per person with a recommended sponsorship minimum of £100. FXV members will be entered free with a discount code.

Contact enquiries@exeterchiefsfoundation.org.uk for more details.

Today's bucket collectors are from the Exeter Chiefs Foundation Player's Benevolent Fund. They are raising money for Aidon Davis who is currently receiving treatment for his fight against Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

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

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