Stormers - Heineken Champions Cup

CHEERS TO ALL FANS

Chief Executive & Chairman: Tony Rowe CBE, Hon LLD

Deputy Chief Executive: Keiron Northcott

Directors: Rob Baxter OBE, Steve Byrne, Mark Champion, Brian Lodge, Chris Over

Managing Director: Natasha Pavis

Sales and Marketing Director: Lisa Duncan

Finance Director: Nicky Teague

Stadium Operations Director: Mark Isaacs

Administration Director: Toni Percival

President: Bob Staddon

Director of Rugby: Rob Baxter OBE, Hon LLD

Head Coach: Ali Hepher

Coaches: Rob Hunter, Ricky Pellow, Omar Mouniemne, Haydn Thomas, Gareth Steenson

Academy Manager: Rob Gibson

Team Manager: Tony Walker

Head of Strength & Conditioning: Mark Twiggs

Director of Sports Medicine: Adrian Harris

Head of Sports Medicine: Jamie Fulton

Corporate Account Manager: Sam McIntyre 01392 890879 - (M) 07741 146980

Media & Communications Manager: Mark Stevens

Community Development Manager: Aron Struminski

Merchanise Manager: Sarah Scott - 01392 890872

Design & Production: Jonny Carus

Programme Editor: Mark Stevens

Photography: JMP, Getty Images, Steve Haag Images, Inpho, Olly Woodburn

welcome

Good afternoon to you all and welcome back to Sandy Park for this afternoon’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final against the DHL Stormers.

A week ago, I wrote in these very notes how all of us wanted to see a response from the team in the wake of their Gallagher Premiership loss away to Bath.

Well, we certainly got that in what was a pulsating fixture against Montpellier here at Sandy Park.

In sport, whether you win or you lose, the next match, the next opponent or the next big occasion, is never too far away.

Yes, we were hurting having come unstuck against one of our near neighbours just seven days earlier, but I thought the response of our guys last week underlined the qualities that run throughout our great club.

The willingess to fight for one another was evident throughout and even though we had to go right to the wire, our efforts were duly rewarded and have set us up nicely for today’s last eight encounter.

Not since we beat Saracens here in the Premiership semi-final of 2017 have I heard such a noise at the final whistle. It was certainly a moment to savour for all of us and I hope we get to enjoy more of the same moving forward.

The Stormers, however, will be a formidable opponent. Not only do they have a wealth of quality and experience within their squad, but they will bring a physical and challenging threat to our lads all over the park.

At this stage of the competition, though, you expect to come up against the very best. This is not new territory for us as a club, but we must make the most of our opportunities, particularly given we have home advantage.

The feel-good factor we felt in the wake of the Montpellier win is something I feel we have all been missing in recent times. Such has been our success, we’ve tended to just accept victories without too much care in the world, whereas our losses we have tended to dissect probably too much.

In truth, our club is in a strong position, on and off the field, so let’s embrace it for what it is and enjoy the moments in the right manner.

TONY ROWE CBE

CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE EXETER RUGBY CLUB

“

We know all too well what it takes to succeed at this level and fixtures like today are the ones that challenge us as a squad and as a club

PROUDLY SERVING THE TRADES & DIY SINCE 1770.

welcome

“The emphasise the enduring quality of the tournament, the clubs that reached this season’s knockout stage had as many as 27 EPCR titles between them

A warm welcome to this quarter-final fixture in the Heineken Champions Cup as competition for a coveted place in the 2023 Dublin Final really begins to hot up.

The knockout stage generates its very own brand of compelling, high-stakes rugby, and it’s win or bust now for the remaining elite clubs who remain in contention for the 28th Heineken Champions Cup Final, which will be staged at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday, May.

Following the historic introduction of the leading South African clubs into this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, it came as no major surprise that the Cell C Sharks, DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls all qualified in impressive style for the business end of the tournament at the first attempt.

To emphasise the enduring quality of the tournament, the clubs that reached this season’s knockout stage had as many as 27 EPCR titles between them.

In addition, as you are no doubt aware, the clubs with the highest rankings from the pool stage earn home advantage for the Round of 16 and quarter-final matches.

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.

Our loyal broadcast partners, BT Sport, beIN SPORTS and France Télévisions, continue to provide unrivalled coverage of the Heineken Champions Cup in the UK, Ireland and France respectively, while SuperSport in South Africa, ITV and RTÉ in the UK and Ireland, S4C in Wales and FloRugby in the USA and Canada are making valuable contributions to the growth of tournament.

On behalf of everyone at EPCR, 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 tension-packed occasion in the Heineken Champions Cup knockout stage.

DOMINIC MCKAY

EPCR CHAIRMAN

welcome

I would like to extend a warm welcome to everyone attending this 2022/23 Heineken® Champions Cup quarter-final game.

I think it’s safe to say that the previous rounds have really whetted our appetite as we advance further into the knockout stages of the tournament and look forward to more excellent rugby.

As always, we wish the best of luck to all participating sides, and particularly to our UK teams who have performed fantastically well to earn their place in these quarter-finals - Exeter Chiefs, Saracens & Leicester Tigers. As we prepare to host DHL Stormers today, I’m sure, like me, you are all very much looking forward to seeing a terrific contest.

Rugby in the UK is known for bringing people together to enjoy the incredible atmosphere and

top-class sporting performances. Cheers, 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 sponsor 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 today’s Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final with the DHL Stormers.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate the team on their fighting performance last weekend against Montpellier, one in which they had to show some great qualities to finally come through in extra time. It was a great Champions Cup tie in a lot of ways but, for obvious reasons, not all the moments in the game were to our liking, but they never will be in the latter stages of this competition.

To stay alive, you have to be able to deal with the tough times, fight through them, stay resilient, re-set and go again. This is exactly what we had to do in the first quarter of the game when Montpellier scored two quickfire tries. We then, however, managed to get some fluency in the game and the longer the ball was on the field, the stronger we became.

Ironically, it felt like their red card lifted them when we were starting to take control and when we failed to score from the good field position we had at the time, they grew and played some great 14 man rugby, while we went a little quiet. Even so, we pulled ourselves around and took what should have been a decisive lead, but Montpellier admirable never died and tied the game with the last kick of the 80 minutes.

Across the extra time periods, we created the better attacking opportunities without finishing them off and that nearly hurt us as Montpellier pulled some phases together and scored a good late try.

This was now going to be the time for us decide how we wanted the game to finish and the players stayed on the attack for pretty much the entire remainder of the game to force the try that would become the match winner on try count back.

Another thing that was fantastic was the support within the stadium, it really felt like our crowd were living the game with the players, while the emotion and singing from the supporters after the final whistle made the day a very special occasion.

Finally, can I take this opportunity to welcome my opposite number John Dobson, together with the players, staff, officials and supporters of the Stormers to this afternoon’s fixture.

Enjoy the Game!

Rob

baxter unsure if cowan-dickie will be back before end of the season

Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, says he remains unsure as to whether hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie will run out for the club again this season.

The England and British & Irish Lions star has not played since the Chiefs tackled Northampton Saints in the Gallagher Premiership back in early January. Since then, he has undergone surgery on both his ankle and his neck, ruling him out of the entire Guinness Six Nations Championship.

Quizzed on the 29-year-old, Baxter gave the following update on the Cornishman, who next season is set to join Montpellier.

“He is having an assessment which will give him some guidance on how the injury is recovering,” said Baxter. “I feel a bit sorry for the guy, he is a bit like a live experiment for everybody but obviously he is desperate to get on with things as well. There is nothing definitively saying here and now that he won’t be fit by the end of the season, but there is also definitively saying that he will be.”

With Cowan-Dickie one of a number of players set to depart Sandy Park at the end of the season, Baxter hopes the longserving forward will get at least one more opportunity to run out in front of the Chiefs faithful.

“There is nobody in the club wanting Luke to be fit more than me because he is an absolute nightmare when he is not playing,” added Baxter. “It is bad enough when he is playing, but sometimes the only thing you hear around the club is Luke screaming at a physio to move to the next session or get on with this, or grabbing one of the S&C coaches and going, ‘What are we doing next?’

“He is a bit like a caged lion at the moment, prowling around trying to get on with things. 100 per cent, if he can get fit before the end of the season for us or before the World Cup, he will be flying. There is every good reason to get him fit because he will fly into it with absolute abandon..”

RUGBY. DELIVERED.

TEAMWORK. SPEED. DELIVERY. THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE OFFICIAL LOGISTICS PARTNER. DHL.

hawkins ‘excited’ about future after sealing move to the chiefs

Joe Hawkins says he’s ‘excited’ about being part of a new journey at Exeter Chiefs after today confirming his switch to the Gallagher Premiership giants from the Ospreys.

The highly-rated Welsh international is Rob Baxter’s first major signing ahead of the 2023/24 season and arrives in Devon on a long-term deal.

His signing, however, is somewhat of a coup for the Chiefs and Baxter, who is quietly assembling a gifted and talented young squad to take the club forward for years to come.

“I’m really excited about the move,” said Hawkins. “It’s a new challenge for me and something a bit different, especially moving away from my home region, who I will always be thankful to for giving me the playing opportunities that I’ve had up until now. That said, it does feel a home away from home, especially with all the Welsh boys that are down there already.”

Indeed, the 20-year-old back already has a glut of familiar faces to welcome him to the club, having played previously with the likes of Oli Burrows, Dafydd Jenkins, Dan John and Christ Tshiunza at age group levels.

“I know a few of the boys already, which

will definitely help the settling in process,” added Hawkins. “I’ve spoken to a few of them and they’ve told me plenty of good things about the club and the culture that exists down there.

“Also, chatting with Rob and Ali [Hepher], I liked what they had to say about how they want to play and how they want to create a new team capable of challenging at the very top. That really appealed to me, I wanted to be part of it, and I wanted to be there at the start of this journey.”

One man delighted to see the five-capped international arrive at Sandy Park is Baxter himself.

“Obviously, we’re delighted to have Joe signed on for next season and beyond,” said the Chiefs Director of Rugby. “He’s someone we have had a close eye on for some time and he was someone I spotted when we were looking at footage of Daf and a few of the other Welsh Under-20s.

“As I’ve said, we do have players moving on at the end of this season, so it was important that we looked at the areas we needed to fill and that we brought in the right players. Joe, I think, ticks pretty much every box that we look for in a player and I’ve no doubt he’s going to be a great addition to the squad.”

ROOTS READY FOR NEW CHALLENGE AT CHIEFS

New Zealander Ethan Roots says he cannot wait to get his first taste of the Gallagher Premiership after sealing his move to the Exeter Chiefs.

The 25-year-old forward is Rob Baxter’s latest addition to his squad for the 2023/24 season and will join from United Rugby Championship outfit, Ospreys Rugby, this summer.

The all-action, back-rower joined the Welsh region in March 2021 from the Crusaders and has since gone on to establish himself as a physical on-field force.

The arrival of Roots will come some way to helping fill the void left by the departing Dave Ewers and Sam Simmonds, two men the newcomer admitted he has high praise for.

“Everyone knows there are some big names leaving the club, but for me that is part of the challenge, I want to try and help fill those big shoes,” said Roots.

“It’s an exciting move for me and my family and I’m looking forward to having a crack at the Premiership for the first time. Chatting with Rob, he outlined the vision for the future of the club and how he wants us as players to lay the foundations for the years to come.

“As I said, I like a challenge and I like the thought of us being underdogs with a real point to prove. Exeter are an established club, one with great history and tradition, and for me it’s a great move for me at this time in my career.”

HAYDON-WOOD KEEN TO BE PART OF NEW VISION AT EXETER NEXT SEASON

Rob Baxter’s squad strengthening at Exeter Chiefs is gathering pace after the Exeter Chiefs Director of Rugby confirmed a third new faces to his playing ranks for next season.

Heading to Sandy Park ahead of the 2023/24 season is former Newcastle Falcons and Wasps fly-half, Will Haydon-Wood, who will join the Gallagher Premiership club from French Pro D2 side, Massy Esonne.

“It’s a really exciting move for me,” said the 22-year-old playmaker. “Obviously, I’ve come up against the Chiefs in the past and I know how much of a force they have become, not just within the English game, but also across Europe as well.

“Talking with Rob [Baxter] he’s outlined the vision of the club and how they are in the process of building a new and exciting, young squad. Listening to what he had to say and with the players they have at the club, it was a pretty easy decision in the end.

“Coming back to the Premiership was a big draw for sure,” he added. “When I heard Exeter were interested and then chatting with Rob, I knew it was a move I had to make. The history of the Chiefs, especially where they have come from in such a short space of time, it’s an amazing rugby story.

“You can see that they are working on a new project, based a lot around young players, and I wanted to be part of that. They’ve got a talented young group at the club and I want to be part of what I hope will be successful times ahead.”

macdonald at the double for red roses

Exeter Chiefs winger Claudia MacDonald helped herself to another brace of tries as England Women continued their dominant start to the Women’s Six Nations with a 68-5 victory over Italy at Franklin’s Gardens.

Just as she has done against Scotland last week, MacDonald claimed two of England’s 12 tries on the day with Abby Dow scoring four tries and Jess Breach a hat-trick as the hosts entertained the crowd of 12,497.

Tatyana Heard and Marlie Packer (2) also got in on the scoring act, while Italy claimed their first try against England in five years through Sara Tounesi.

MacDonald’s Exeter club-mate, Abbie Fleming, helped Wales Women maintain their unbeaten start to the tournament as they overcame Scotland 34-22 in Edinburgh.

A week after seeing off Ireland 31-5, Ioan Cunningham’s side were again in impressive form, scoring tries through Sisilia Tuipoluto (2), Gwenllian Pyrs (2) and Ffion Lewis.

In reply, Scotland countered with tries from Lana Skeldon, Coreen Grant and former Chiefs full-back Chloe Rollie.

In the other second round tie, Ireland captain Nichola Fryday did her best to put a brave face on things as her side crashed 53-3 to France in Cork.

The Chiefs lock, who was joined in the squad by Clara Nielson, said: “It’s hard. It’s a big scoreline, but I’m really proud of the girls for sticking with it for 80 minutes. We showed spells of what we wanted to do on the ball, but France are a tough side and they showed that against us.”

A snapshot of global inflation

Annual % change in consumer price indices

Sources: Refinitiv, national statistics offices. Latest figures available as at 18 August 2022.

GLOBAL INFLATION

MAKE SENSE OF IT ALL GLOBAL INFLATION GLOBAL INFLATION INFLATION

TRIES: SIO, S SIMMONDS, WYATT, IOSEFA-SCOTT, YEANDLE

CONS: J SIMMONDS (4)

Chiefs: T Wyatt; J Nowell (capt), H Slade, S O’Brien, R O’Loughlin (J Hodge 73); J Simmonds, W Becconsall (T Cairns 57); S Sio (N Abuladze 70), D Frost (J Yeandle 57), M Street (J Iosefa-Scott 57); J Gray, D Jenkins; J Kirsten (D Ewers 51), C Tshiunza (A Davis 63), S Simmonds. Replacement (not used): H Skinner

Yellow Card: Slade

TRIES: LANGDON, RATTEZ, NOUCHI, CARBONEL

CONS: GARBISI (2)

Montpellier: A Bouthier (capt); B Lam, T Darmon, J Serfontein (L Carbonel 57), V Rattez (G Bridge 63); P Garbisi, C Reinach (L Coly 57); E Forletta (T Lamositele 51-66), B Paenga-Amosa (C Langdon 3), H Thomas (M Haouas 42-51, 53); E Stooke, T Duguid; N Janse Van Rensburg (M Tauliegne 67), M Dakuwaqa (L Nouchi 60), Z Mercer.

Yellow Card: Dakuwaqa Red Card: Mercer

Referee: A Brace Attendance: 10,582

MATCH STATS

53% 56% 203 5

47% 44% 266 4

TOP PERFORMERS

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

MANAGEMENT EXETER CHIEFS

TONY WALKER TEAM MANAGER

ROB GIBSON ACADEMY MANAGER

ADRIAN HARRIS

DIRECTOR OF SPORTS MEDICINE

JAMIE FULTON

HEAD OF SPORTS MEDICINE

LEWIS JONES

CLUB DOCTOR

ADAM REUBEN

CLUB DOCTOR

STEVE HAW

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ALEX HOLLAND

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

JOSH KENNEDY

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

JONNY MARKS

PHYSIOTHERAPIST

TOM EAST

SPORTS REHABILITATOR

MARK TWIGGS

HEAD OF STRENGTH & CONDITIONING

ROB BEDDARD

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

LES BARROW

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 HUNTER FORWARDS COACH

RICKY PELLOW SKILLS COACH

HAYDN THOMAS SENIOR COACH

GARETH STEENSON SENIOR COACH

ALI HEPHER HEAD COACH

OMAR MOUNEIMNE

DEFENCE COACH

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

RUGBYSHORTS

WRU AND WELSH REGIONS AGREE ON NEW FINANCIAL PACKAGE

The Welsh Rugby Union and the country’s four regions have agreed to a new financial package aimed at enabling sustainability and growth over the next six years.

The Professional Rugby Board confirmed that it has signed a new long-form Professional Rugby Agreement with all parties, including the WRU, Cardiff Rugby, Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets, bound by its terms until 2029.

The new PRA will provide a financial framework that is made up of new funding from the WRU and club shareholders to create a sustainable platform for progress. It will also provide financial predictability for the professional game in Wales, with homegrown player development being a key objective for all parties.

PRB chair Malcolm Wall said: “It is no exaggeration to say a great deal of work, time and effort has gone into establishing an agreement all parties can be happy with.”.

MORRIS FORCED TO CALL TIME ON HIS CAREER WITH HARLEQUINS

Aaron Morris is to call it quits at the end of the current campaign at the age of just 28 after injuries restricted him to just six appearances for Harlequins in the last two seasons.

A statement read: “Harlequins back Aaron Morris will be retiring at the end of the season following a series of serious injuries which have seen him sidelined for much of the last two seasons.

Morris, 28, joined Quins from London rivals Saracens ahead of the 2016/17 season and has since made 69 appearances for the club, scoring 45 points.

A former U20s World Champion with England in 2014, Morris said: “This has been a very difficult decision and made with a heavy heart. The last two seasons have been incredibly challenging as I have battled through multiple serious injuries, bringing both emotional and physical pain. It is now time for me to find the joy that rugby once gave me in something else.

“I want to thank the club, my team-mates, the fans and my family for their support, I hope I made them proud.”

THORLEY ONE OF SEVERAL NAMES TO SIGN NEW GLOUCESTER DEAL

Highly-rated winger Ollie Thorley is one of a number of players who have committed their futures to Gloucester Rugby.

The Premiership club have not disclosed the length of the 26-year-old’s deal, but it is a huge boost to George Skivington, who has also agreed terms with Fraser Balmain, Jack Reeves and Seb Atkinson in recent weeks. The news will help deal with the blow of the Cherry & Whites losing three of their frontline stars for the remainder of the current season.

Fijian No.8 Albert Tuisue has sustained a significant hamstring injury in the loss to Leicester, Georgian centre Giorgi Kveseladze has suffered a similar fate while on international duty, while prop Val Rapava-Ruskin is to undergo surgery on a knee injury.

In other news, the club have also confirmed the signing of centre Max Llewellyn from United Rugby Championship side Cardiff Rugby.

The 24-year-old has made 38 appearances for the Welsh region, scoring five tries since his debut in 2017.

BEARS BOLSTER THEIR SQUAD BY ADDING FORMER WASPS DUO

Bristol Bears have signed hooker Gabriel Oghre (pictured) and half-back Sam Wolstenholme for the 202324 season.

Oghre, 24, is currently with French Top 14 club BordeauxBegles and Wolstenholme, 23, is at Leicester after both left Wasps following their mid-season demise.

They will join a Bears outfit, who have also secured the futures of nine other players on new deals.

Skipper Steven Luatua heads up that list, alongside, Piers O’Conor, Yann Thomas, Jake Woolmore, Jay Tyack, Max Lahiff, Harry Thacker, Ed Holmes and Jake Heenan.

“A huge part of our long-term retention plan was to ensure the continuation of our experience and leadership within the group,” said Director of Rugby, Pat Lam.

“To have four Bears centurions and three who players are about to become centurioons re-signing with the club reinforces this plan.”

HATLEY TO REUNITE WITH JONES ON WALLABIES COACHING STAFF

Long-serving coach Neal Hatley is to leave Bath Rugby at the end of the season to become Australia’s scrum coach.

Hatley, 53, will reunited with Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones after working under for three-and-a-half years during their time with England.

Hatley first joined Bath in 2012 as a forwards coach and has also worked as the club’s defence coach.

“I’m honoured to join Eddie and the Wallabies in what’s a massive year with the World Cup just over five months away,” said Hatley.

TODAY’S OFFICIALS

REFEREE: MATHIEU RAYNAL

TMO: THOMAS CHARABAS

TOUCH JUDGES: LUDOVIC CAYRE & JONATHAN GASNIER

TK: PETER HUCKLE

DHL STORMERS

champions cup record

PLAYED 5

WON 4

DRAWN 0

LOST 1

Founded: 1996

Ground: Cape Town Stadium

Fritz Sonnenberg Rd

Cape Town, 8051

Capacity: 55,000

Website: www.thestormers.com

Champions Cup Results:

v Clermont Auvergne (A) L 24-14

v London Irish (H) W 34-14

v London Irish (A) W 14-28

v Clermont Auvergne (H) W 30-16

v Harlequins (H) W 32-28

HEAD COACH: John Dobson

CAPTAIN: Steven Kitsoff

GROUND: Cape Town Stadium

NIGEL WALROND

Standing witnessing the aftermath of the painful Premiership defeat at Bath, who would have thought we would be stood here a fortnight later on the eve of a Heineken Champions Cup quarterfinal?

It’s a funny old game, isn’t it?!

That just sums up the Jekyll and Hyde nature of the Chiefs this season. They can lose to anyone, particularly away from home, but here at Sandy Park, you would fancy them against any side.

And would you believe it, if the Chiefs and Saracens win this weekend, they will once again be up against each other in the semi-final at a neutral ground somewhere in England.

Anyone who listens to BBC Radio Devon’s Chiefs’ commentaries will know I have very strong views about the inclusion of South African teams in European rugby’s premier competition.

I wonder how South African supporters would feel about Premiership teams playing in their Currie Cup competition?

It is not an anti-South African sentiment. I would feel the same regardless of which non-European country the teams were coming from.

Last Sunday’s match against Montpellier showed that this competition provides more than enough excitement when it is Europe against Europe. But I do not want to appear unwelcoming to today’s visitors, as I am certainly not, so I will park this subject there.

The Chiefs have made a host of new signing announcements this past week to counter the long list of departures, which will no doubt make Exeter supporters feel somewhat easier about what lies ahead in 2023-24.

I said before in this column about the exciting young talent coming through the club’s academy ranks, and this has now been added to with players who have international and United Rugby Championship

experience, plus in Will Haydon-Wood’s case, playing in the Premiership and France.

I would ideally like to see one or two more wise old heads arriving to weld it all together – characters like Dave Dennis, Greg Holmes and Kai Horstmann from years gone by – but they no doubt come with a high price tag.

I am particularly excited about Joe Hawkins, who we have had a glimpse of in the Wales team over the past few months.

The fact he can also play at fly-half will help bolster that area of the team too with the sad departure of Joe Simmonds this summer.

Ollie Devoto is like a new signing, having just returned from a very long injury lay-off, and it gives Chiefs’ midfield area a very tasty look to it.

Back to today, and this competition looks like Chiefs’ best chance of adding to their Premiership Rugby Cup success, given the very tough job they have on their hands in their remaining Premiership games, and topped off by the fact that, if they come fourth in the final table, they will be visiting Saracens in the semi-finals.

However, Stormers showed against Harlequins last week that they are a class act, and the Chiefs will need to be on the top of their game to reach the last four.

I am not sure about the six or seven-day turnaround European rugby has given clubs and supporters to get ready for these games, particularly those who are away from home. That seems ludicrous to me and another major flaw in the rugby calendar, but so many of the decisions made around the game these days don’t make any sense to me.

Enjoy the match.

KEY CLUB PARTNERS

KEY CLUB SPONSORS

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woodburn aiming to capture the perfect moment

WINGER TARGETS EUROPEAN PROGRESSION

If you know Olly Woodburn well enough, you know he’s a man who loves to capture the moment perfectly.

Not only is the Exeter Chiefs winger an avid, lifestyle photographer, but on the field he continues to increase his exposure, producing a series of eye-catching displays that have helped propel the Devonians onwards and upwards this season.

Today, the 31-year-old returns to the Chiefs starting line-up for their mouth-watering Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final encounter against the DHL Stormers looking to further enhance his and Exeter’s reputation amongst Europe’s elite clubs.

“It’s exciting and the vibe around the squad this has been really good, especially coming off last week [against Montpellier],” said Woodburn. “Although I didn’t play last week, the atmosphere was just incredible and hopefully it gives us the momentum to really kick on over the rest of the season.”

In what has been an up and down campaign to date for the Chiefs, Woodburn has himself shown a real consistency within his game, producing a plethora of performances that have earned him rave reviews from his peers and pundits alike.

His aerial game is amongst the best in the business, whilst his finishing skills continue to shine on a regular basis. It’s little wonder he remains a key component within the make-up of the Chiefs moving forward.

Indeed, the former Bath flyer says focusing on himself and his own wellbeing has helped his longevity at Sandy Park in a side that has made six Premiership finals and regularly been amongst the country’s high-flying clubs.

“I’ve been naturally lucky with the attributes I’ve had - I’m strong and quick - but I think throughout your career to stay at a high level you need to adapt and change your approach to the game,” he said. “I’ve become a lot more disciplined with my diet, my routines, my attitude towards doing things on and off the pitch.

just being a bit more professional I guess as I get older, and not just relying on athleticism.”

Whatever Woodburn is doing, it’s clearly working for him and for the Chiefs in a lot of ways. And with a Champions Cup semi-final on the cards for today’s victors, the gifted back is hoping to add to his European exploits.

“European games are always fun for me, especially the away ones,” he says. “I like to visit different places, different cultures and see how life goes on in other parts of the world. Playing-wise, you also get to challenge yourself against different players, different styles and even different refs.

“Coming up against the Stormers, it’s going to be tough. I’m expecting it to be physical and to be fast, but equally I try to focus mainly on myself. If you starting looking at others, that’s when you’ve lost your focus. There’s a quote ‘comparison is the thief of joy’ - so if you’re always comparing yourself to others, you’re not going to be in a good place. What I’ve done over the last couple of years is look back at what I do best and really try and focus on my strengths and bring that to the game.”

Despite winning two Premiership titles and a Champions Cup crown, Woodburn remains hugely ambitious in terms of his future goals. Indeed, he says young son, Solly, is a real inspiration for him to further himself.

“I’ve got a little boy who motivates me hugely,” he says. “Right now, he doesn’t know too much about rugby, but in years to come it will be great to share some of the memories with him. Bringing him into the changing rooms post-game, things like that, it’s fun for me and special for my family to have that connection. I just want to enjoy every minute of it.”

GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ROUND 21 REVIEW

BATH RUGBY 36

T: Redpath, Obano, Cokanasiga, Dunn, Lawrence; C: Spencer (4): P: Francis

EXETER CHIEFS 19

T: Kata, Sio, Yeandle; C: Slade (2)

LEICESTER TIGERS 46

T: Youngs, Watson, Montoya (2), Pollard, Clare;

C: Pollard (4), Gopperth P: Pollard (2)

BRISTOL

BEARS 24

T: Thacker, Ibitoye, Randall

C: MacGinty (2), Ibitoye; P: MacGinty

LONDON IRISH 37

T: Fa’aso’o, Pearson, Loader, Munga; C: Jackson (4); P: Jackson (3)

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS 22

T: Augustus, Freeman, Ludlam;

C: Smith, Hutchinson; P: Smith

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 17

T: Radwan, Obatoyinbo; C: Connon (2); P: Connon

GLOUCESTER 12

T: Blake, Thorley; C: Carreras

SARACENS 36

T: Lozowski, Tompkins, Christie, Maitland, Itoje; C: Farrell (4); P: Farrell

HARLEQUINS 24

T: Dombrandt, Murley (2), Marchant

C: Smith (2)

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GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP ROUND 22 FIXTURES

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.”

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