Newcastle Falcons: Match Day Programme

Chief

Tony

Deputy

Keiron Northcott

Directors:

Rob

Lodge,

Managing

Natasha Pavis

Sales

Lisa Duncan

Finance

Nicky Teague

Administration

up the light park

michaelspiers.co.uk

WELCOME

GOOD AFTERNOON AND WELCOME TO TODAY’S GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP MATCH AGAINST NEWCASTLE FALCONS.

We return to the competition for the first time after an extended break while the Guinness Six Nations took centre stage. We are extremely proud to have had 10 players represent their nations in the international break. In the Six Nations, Henry Slade, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Ethan Roots excelled for England while Ross Vintcent made his Italy debut and Alec Hepburn (McHepburn) featured for Scotland.

Dafydd Jenkins did an exemplary job of leading Wales as captain through a tough campaign. I would like to congratulate them all on their performances throughout the tournament.

And well done to our other England players included in the A squad – Josh Hodge, Rusi Tuima, Greg Fisilau and Josh Iosefa-Scott – who took their first steps on the senior international pathway in a match against Portugal in February.

I must also commend our England U20s contingent who helped England secure the tournament crown – well done to Chiefs’ players Joe Bailey and Kane James and our very own coach Haydn Thomas who was on loan to England U20s on this fantastic achievement.

This Gallagher Premiership season has been one of the most competitive in recent memory. After 12 rounds, Chiefs

are one of five teams at the top of the table who all sit within nine points of one another and all with seven or more wins from 12.

I believe our young squad have already learned a great deal this season, with some action-packed weeks still to come, as we look for progression in the Investec Champions Cup as well as fighting for a strong finish to the league campaign. With the possibility of a top four finish still within sight, I look forward to watching our players push themselves to give their best to the Chiefs shirt.

We are delighted to have launched our Exeter Chiefs 2024/25 season tickets which have all been price frozen from this season. While our Early Bird window is now closed, fans are able to sign up to our direct debit which allows them to split the cost into monthly instalments starting at as little as £28.

With the excitement of entertaining and winning performances aplenty from our men’s and women’s teams already this season, all eyes are on the future stars of Exeter Chiefs – and a season ticket is your way of ensuring you don’t miss any of the action.

CHAIRMAN AND CEO EXETER RUGBY CLUB

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

TONY ROWE CBE

ROB BAXTER OBE

WELCOME BACK TO SANDY PARK AS WE RESUME OUR GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP SEASON WITH THE VISIT OF NEWCASTLE FALCONS.

It feels like a long time since the last Premiership game but the Premiership Cup being played at the start of the season due to the Rugby World Cup, and then the reduction in the Premiership to 10 teams, created a one-off scenario that all the clubs have worked through in different ways.

We had a game against Scarlets and then our Premiership Cup Semi-Final in the middle of the break which actually worked really well for us. Then the game against the Royal Navy also helped get some players some much needed game time alongside us getting in a good training block, so we feel ready to go again.

It was also great to see the size of the crowd when we played the Navy and this alongside the crowd at the recent game versus University of Exeter shows there is a real appetite for watching live games, and we will certainly try and make sure we get as many games as we can into the season for our supporters here at Sandy Park in the future.

We now enter a really interesting and exciting block of three games where our season could potentially really take-off! Of course, the flip side is that poor results could also put a different look on the season, so we have to make sure that we get things right with a bang.

The Premiership table is incredibly tight at the moment, I don’t think I have ever seen a table move so much with each result round by round so there won’t be a lot of second chances later in the competition now that there are only six regular rounds remaining.

After two Premiership games we entertain Bath Rugby in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup at what promises to be a sell-out Sandy Park and it is clear that this will be a great game to be involved in. The logistics for the team that win will be interesting, as it could mean a trip to France for the following week, but it would be great to be facing that issue in a few weeks!

I would also like to congratulate our Six Nations international players. I felt they all did themselves proud and represented themselves and the club to the highest degree. Not all of the players will be involved this week for various reasons, but I know they will all play a big part in the rest of the season for us, and the experience can only help them become better.

Finally, I would like to welcome Steve Diamond, his staff, players and the supporters of Newcastle Falcons to Sandy Park.

ROB BAXTER OBE DIRECTOR OF RUGBY

CLUB NEWS

THREE CHIEFS SIGN NEW DEALS

Exeter Chiefs have announced the first four names of players who have committed their future to the club.

Fly half Harvey Skinner, second and back row Lewis Pearson and wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso have all put pen to paper to remain at Sandy Park for the long term.

ACHESON COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT TO JOIN CHIEFS WOMEN

Former England and Bristol prop Sasha Acheson has come out of retirement to join Exeter Chiefs Women. Known for her dynamism on the pitch, ‘Bam Bam’ Acheson – who is happy playing at loose and tighthead – has played for Saracens, Gloucester, Bristol, and Worcester at club level.

The last game she featured in was for the Barbarians against Wales in 2019. She then decided to retire to follow her dream of becoming a parent with her partner Joey.

In 2021, she became the head coach at Bristol Bisons RFC, the South West’s first inclusive rugby team, taking them from the bottom of the IGR Southern League to champions. However, a visit to Sandy Park to watch Chief Women play reignited her desire to play again.

Acheson said: “Last year, I took my little girl to her first women’s rugby game at Sandy Park. I met up with Susie and she was so warm, welcoming, and excited to see me. She said, ‘If you want to come back and play, you will be welcome here.’

“She also told me there was a big shortage of props in England. That made my ears prick up and it’s been in my head ever since. Then this year, some coaches

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Rob Baxter has expressed his excitement at ensuring the talented trio are part of his Chiefs plans moving forward, with more teammates expected to add their names to the list of re-signees in the coming weeks.

had been asking me to come out of retirement. Exeter Chiefs were an easy choice.”

Appleby said: “It’s great to welcome Sasha back to the game, and I’m glad she has chosen Chiefs. The game has changed a lot in four years, but Sasha likes a challenge and I’m sure she will embrace it; she will be training with and playing alongside some of the best props in the world. Our players are fantastic and with their support and a fantastic coach like Steve, she could not be in a better place to make her comeback.”

WOMEN'S ALLIANZ PWR FINAL TO BE HELD AT SANDY PARK

THE ALLIANZ PREMIERSHIP WOMEN’S RUGBY FINAL 2024

WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY 22 JUNE AT SANDY PARK STADIUM IN EXETER.

Building on the huge success of last year's showpiece event, the 2024 Final will showcase the best of women’s rugby, to crown the inaugural Allianz Premiership Women's Rugby champions. Following a competitive tendering process, where all Premiership Women’s Rugby clubs were invited to bid, Sandy Park was the unanimous choice to host the final.

Sandy Park Stadium is also one of eight venues to host a Women’s Rugby World Cup match in 2025 and has previously staged Red Roses games in front of more than 10,000 fans.

Belinda Moore, Chief Executive of Premiership Women’s Rugby said: “Everyone will remember the incredible 2023 Final at the newly-named Queensholm Stadium and we are expecting another great day for women’s sport in England this June, targeting a crowd of more than 10,000 this year.”

Tickets have gone on sale for the final, starting at £5 for adults (with early bird pricing) and all junior tickets are just £5.

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ALEC HEPBURN, SCOTLAND CAP 1217. IT’S NOT EVERY DAY YOU HAVE A PAIR OF CUFFLINKS WITH YOUR INTERNATIONAL CAP NUMBER ENGRAVED ON THEM.

A call-up to Gregor Townsend’s squad was an opportunity which the 30-year-old Chiefs prop thought he had closed the door on – on account of the handful of England caps he earned back in 2018.

Hepburn has amassed 179 Chiefs appearances in a nine-year association with the club having debuted against Bath Rugby in October 2015. The Australian-born forward has faced his fair share of trials in that time – from the high of a domestic and European double in 2020 before crashing to the low of a lengthy bout with glandular fever in 2023.

Doggedly working his way back into Rob Baxter’s selection conversations, Hepburn’s performances since returning in an away fixture against Newcastle Falcons earlier this season saw him throw his name back into the ring for Townsend and his thistle-wearing coaches.

“Sitting here having played a Guinness Six Nations campaign for Scotland seemed less likely after having played for England! In all seriousness though, I always knew the Scottish element was there, but I guess it wasn’t on my mind after I got England caps – I thought that door had been closed.

“However, I met up with Gregor before the Rugby World Cup –about 18 months ago – just to touch base. We had a conversation, and he floated the idea to see if I’d be interested in playing for Scotland. It was a really good meeting but within a matter of weeks any decision was taken away from me because I was ill with glandular fever.

“Over that period when I was ill, it would come up a lot in my mind and the prospect of playing for Scotland grew stronger. I thought it’d

POSITION: PROP

HEIGHT: 1.85M (6FT 1IN)

WEIGHT: 114KG (17ST 9LBS)

be such a great goal for me to have in the far distance to achieve.”

Hepburn’s Scottish qualification comes from his Glasgow-born father, George, who sadly passed away before his son pulled on the shirt of his native nation. As Hepburn prepared for his debut against Wales in Cardiff in early February, the enormity of the day and the absence of his father was not lost on him, but the Chiefs man looked to channel it to his advantage.

“I think I was conscious that I didn’t want to run my race too early. Early on there had been a lot of conversations about how I qualified for Scotland, which led to me speaking about my dad a lot, and I was a bit worried that it would come out in too much of an emotional way during the game.

“So, earlier in the morning, I listened to some old music he used to like and shed a few tears to myself –that took away any feeling of nervousness around the game. I enjoyed that as it gave me a clear mind going into the occasion without all that emotional energy.”

The occasion was a tense one – Scotland being chased down from a lengthy lead for a final scoreline of 26-27 and Hepburn’s debut win. Having lifted the Doddie Weir Cup on his first Scottish outing, the prop played in a further three games – a tense affair against France, an ecstatic home win over England claiming the Calcutta Cup and a disappointing trip to Italy falling to defeat to the Azzurri.

Throughout the whole process, Hepburn says he was lucky to have former Chiefs teammate Sam Skinner by his side.

“When you debut, you get a tie and a pair of cufflinks with your cap number on them, so he was the one to present them to me in the changing room postmatch. He was also my roommate – I snored so loudly on night one that he left though! But he came back with some headphones that were really good.

“At night, we’d get into our beds and go over all the lineouts. He would translate them into Chiefs calls so that I could know exactly what I was doing. He was really helpful – he gave me guidance on where I should be and what I should be doing.”

With the bit between the teeth having tested himself at the highest level, Hepburn is turning focus back to the run-in to a highly competitive end to the season with Chiefs – top four in the Premiership table is still on the cards as is progression in the knockout rounds of the Investec Champions Cup.

“I’d love to play more international rugby, that’s

“HE [SAM SKINNER] AND I WOULD GO OVER ALL THE LINEOUTS. HE WOULD TRANSLATE THEM INTO CHIEFS CALLS SO THAT I COULD KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS DOING."

for sure. The set-up there isn’t too dissimilar – the emphasis from Scotland and here at Chiefs is always on your primary job. So, for me, that’ll be set piece and getting hands on the ball or tackles outside of that, then that’ll be good.”

With his next Chiefs appearance due to be his 180th, there is still time for Hepburn to add to his already impressive Exeter career and ensure he stays at the forefront of Townsend’s mind.

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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

JONNY MARKS

ACADEMY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ROB SHEEHAN

UNIVERSITY PHYSIOTHERAPIST

DAN FEASY

JUNIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

ANDY DAVIES

SPORTS REHABILITATOR

SHANE O’HANRAHAN

SENIOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST

LOUISE PASSMORE

MEDICAL SECRETARY

JOHN GARMIN

HAYDN THOMAS

SENIOR COACH

CLUB DOCTOR 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

Available

Available

Available

99KG

92KG

BEN

TOBY

OLLIE

GREG

BEN

IMMANUEL

107KG

1.85M

BILLY KEAST

MATT JOHNSON

JAMES KENNY

WILL HAYDON-WOOD

FLY-HALF

ALEC HEPBURN

HARRY HOCKING

HOOKER

JACK INNARD

HOOKER

JOSH HODGE

FULL-BACK

JOSH IOSEFA-SCOTT

KANE JAMES

125KG

PATRICK

ETHAN

CHARLIE

JACOB

FRANKIE NOWELL

EOIN

LEWIS

FLY-HALF

88KG (13ST 2LBS)

1.88M (6FT 2INS) 12/09/2004

Available

87KG (13ST 9LBS)

1.86M (6FT 1IN) 12/11/1998

STU TOWNSEND

94KG (14ST 11LBS)

1.75M (5FT 8INS) 10/11/1995

SCOTT SIO

PROP

127KG (19ST 13LBS)

1.85M (6FT 1IN) 16/10/1991

120KG

HARVEY SKINNER

FLY-HALF

PROP

117KG (18ST 5LBS)

1.81M (5FT 11INS) 05/04/1999

92KG (14ST 6LBS)

1.89M (6FT 2INS) 31/12/1997

MARCUS STREET

PROP

119KG (18ST 10LBS)

1.82M (6FT) 02/06/1999

CENTRE

96KG (15ST 1LB)

1.91M (6FT 2INS)

19/03/1993

LOCK

115KG (18ST 1LB)

1.95M (6FT 5INS) 11/09/1999

Available

114KG (17ST 13LBS)

102KG

Available

128KG

98KG

1.88M

LOUIE SINCLAIR

JOE SNOW

SCRUMHALF

HENRY SLADE

DANNY SOUTHWORTH

SCRUM HALF

CORY TEAGUE

CHRIST TSHIUNZA

ZACK

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FROM THE PRESS BOX

WELCOME TO THE START OF THE 2024-25 SEASON. ER.. NO, ACTUALLY. IT’S

WELCOME TO THE LAST THIRD OF THE 2023-24 PREMIERSHIP SEASON.

I am sure I’m not alone in feeling like we are about to kick off a new campaign, such has been the long gap between competitive fixtures for Exeter Chiefs

It is almost two months since they last played a league game, and five weeks since they lost to Gloucester in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final at Kingsholm.

How clubs have coped financially with such a long gap between home league fixtures is beyond me, though the Chiefs have done their best to keep income streams flowing in by arranging friendlies against the likes of Scarlets, Exeter University and the Royal Navy which have attracted very good crowds, while Allianz PWR has also been continuing during this period.

While the Chiefs might have been largely inactive on the field, some of their players have been shining on the international stage.

Ethan Roots won the man of the match award on his England debut against Italy in the Six Nations Championship; Henry Slade has carried his excellent Chiefs’ form into the international arena again and has struck up an impressive midfield partnership with Ollie Lawrence that saw England lower Ireland’s colours and go so close to beating France in their own back yard last weekend; Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has taken to international rugby like a duck to water and was instrumental in England’s victory over Ireland; and Ross Vintcent has made a real name for himself as Italy have enjoyed their best ever Six Nations campaign.

And let’s not forget Alec ‘Jock’ Hepburn making his Scotland debut, and Exeter skipper Dafydd Jenkins, who has retained his form and class despite having

to lead a Welsh side that failed to pick up a win in the Championship and ended up with the wooden spoon.

It has been one of the best Championships that I can remember in terms of excitement and close games. That is in stark contrast to last Friday night’s Premiership Cup final between Gloucester and Leicester Tigers.

Congratulations to the Cherry and Whites for lifting the trophy on home soil, but neither head coach can have been happy afterwards with the performances of their respective sides in what was a very poorquality affair.

Exeter have still got to visit both sides in their remaining six league fixtures, together with an Easter Sunday trip to Sale Sharks.

Their last three home games see them take on Bath, Harlequins, and today’s visitors Newcastle Falcons, who now have former Sale boss Steve Diamond as their consultant director of rugby.

He arrived in January and has now had several weeks to put his imprint on the side, and I am expecting a vastly different display from Newcastle today to those which have seen them yet to win a league game so far this season.

With only five points covering second to seventh in the Premiership table, it is going to be a fascinating scrap over the final weeks of the campaign to see who will make the top four and the end-of-season play-offs.

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15. JOSH HODGE

14. DAN JOHN

13. ZACK WIMBUSH

12. JOE HAWKINS

11. OLLY WOODBURN

10. HARVEY SKINNER

9. WILL BECCONSALL

1. SCOTT SIO

2. JACK YEANDLE (C)

3. JOSH IOSEFA-SCOTT

4. RUSI TUIMA

5. LEWIS PEARSON

6. ETHAN ROOTS

7. RICHARD CAPSTICK

8. GREG FISILAU

REPS

16. DAN FROST 17. DANNY SOUTHWORTH

18. MARCUS STREET

19. JACQUES VERMEULEN

20. ROSS VINTCENT 21. STU TOWNSEND

22. WILL HAYDON-WOOD

23. WILL RIGG

REFEREE: JACK MAKEPEACE

15. ELLIOTT OBATOYINBO

14. ADAM RADWAN

13. TOM PENNY

12. RORY JENNINGS

11. BEN STEVENSON

10. BRETT CONNON

9. SAM STUART

1. ADAM BROCKLEBANK

2. JAMIE BLAMIRE

3. EDUARDO BELLO

4. PHILIP VAN DER WALT

5. SEBASTIAN DE CHAVES

6. FREDDIE LOCKWOOD

7. GUY PEPPER

8. CALLUM CHICK (C)

REPS

16. BRYAN BYRNE 17. PHIL BRANTINGHAM

18. RICHARD PALFRAMAN 19. JOHN KELLY

20. SAM CROSS 21. BEN DOUGLAS

22. CAMERON HUTCHISON

23. MATIAS MORONI TODAY’S OFFICIALS:

ASSISTANT REFEREES: ANTHONY WOODTHORPE, GARETH HOLSGROVE

FOURTH OFFICIAL: JAMES CLARKE

TELEVISION MATCH OFFICIAL: ANDREW JACKSON

SEASON OVERVIEW:

THE 2023/24 SEASON HAS BEEN ONE OF TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS FOR NEWCASTLE FALCONS.

The Gallagher Premiership’s northern side have tested some opposition to the last breath with doggedly competitive performances yet still they sit in tenth position with four points to their name after 12 losses from 12.

While the club have been buoyed in recent weeks by the re-commitment of players like Sebastian De Chaves, Adam Brocklebank and Freddie Lockwood, they have also been dealt the blow of the early departure of Mateo Carreras to Bayonne and the news that next season aspiring talent Phil Brantingham will be a Saracen.

On the field, a win against Perpignan at Stade Aime Giral in the EPCR Challenge Cup in January ended a run of 14 straight defeats. The northerners will be looking to use the momentum of this, as well as the prolonged period of preparation during the Guinness Six Nations international break, to return to Premiership action with goals of a first league win this season in mind.

A name synonymous with coaching in the Gallagher Premiership for the last decade, Steve Diamond joined Newcastle Falcons as a consultant director of rugby in January 2024.

Having wracked up more than 300 appearances in a playing career for Sale Sharks, Diamond then embarked on a coaching career which is still going strong 23 years after his playing career came to its end.

With a resume which includes more than a decade in the Sale coaching team, spells with Saracens, England A and the Russian national team, Diamond was also the man to try to help

CONSULTANT DOR: ONE TO WATCH: GUY PEPPER STEVE DIAMOND

Worcester Warriors navigate their way through their unfortunate collapse in 2022.

Now at the helm of the Falcons ship, he will undoubtedly be looking to role up his sleeves and dive into reviving a Newcastle team with a wealth of youth and potential.

20-year-old back rower Guy Pepper has been a shining light in the Newcastle Falcons team this year. Playing with knowledge of the game beyond his years, the traditional-style flanker has led from the front with his performances this season.

Still a member of Falcons’ senior academy and a student at Durham University, Pepper has become a regular starter in the Premiership.

Pepper’s work-rate, enthusiasm and playing style have also begun to catch the eye of key figures in the England camp – selected for England A against Portugal earlier this month, he has spent additional time training with the first team.

WE PUT WILL RIGG THROUGH 15 QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS...

1. First team you played rugby for?

Edwardians RFC

2. First influential coach?

Paul Jackson

3. Have you played in any other position?

No, just centre

4. Rugby hero/inspiration?

Jonny Wilkinson

5. First professional game?

Coventry v Ampthill

6. Best away ground?

Bedford Blues

7. Best rugby memory?

Cardiff clashes

8. Pre-match meal?

Spaghetti bolognese

9. Nickname

Riggy

10. Favourite takeaway?

Chinese

11. Favourite book?

A Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre

12. Sports teams you follow away from rugby?

Birmingham City RFC and Warwickshire Cricket Club

13. Tea or coffee?

Coffee

14. Last thing you listened to?

High performance podcast

15. Favourite film?

Snatch

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WE PUT DANIELLE PREECE THROUGH 15 QUICK-FIRE QUESTIONS...

1. First team you played rugby for?

Exmouth Rugby Club

2. First influential coach?

Mike Sprague, my Exmouth coach

3. Rugby hero/inspiration?

Emily Scarratt

4. Best rugby memory?

Winning the Cup

5. Rugby best friends?

Eva and Clara - my best friends from college - then here, Katie Buchanan

6. If rugby did not exist, what sport would you play?

Football

7. What do you do away from rugby? Spend time with my friends

8. We're all human, what are you not particularly good at?

Cooking

9. Tea or coffee?

Coffee

10. Favourite takeaway?

Chinese

11. Favourite place in Devon?

Croyde

12. Favourite film?

Moana

13. Favourite TV show? Made in Chelsea

14. Who would you want to play you in a film about your life?

Jennifer Anniston

15. Go-to Karaoke song?

Proud Mary

FOUNDATION UPDATE

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.

COMMUNITY UPDATE

COMMUNITY CHIEFS SPEARHEAD SUCCESS WITH PROJECT RUGBY SCHOOLS FESTIVAL.

In an inspiring showcase of talent, teamwork, and the transformative power of sport, the Community Chiefs recently hosted a remarkable schools festival under the nationally funded Project Rugby programme.

This initiative, which seeks to bolster rugby participation across diverse communities, brought together over 100 enthusiastic boys and girls from schools spanning Tiverton, Launceston, Paignton, Teign, and Torquay.

Project Rugby's noble mission to engage underrepresented groups within the sport was vividly brought to life as the festival welcomed a multitude of young people. The event underscored a vital community outreach, extending an inclusive invitation to all schools involved in the programme, thereby nurturing a new generation of rugby enthusiasts and players.

Held at Topsham RFC, the day was planned to offer students not just a glimpse into the sport but a deep dive into its core values of respect, teamwork, discipline and sportsmanship. The festival aimed to instil a lifelong passion for rugby among the participants.

Feedback from the youngsters and attending schools was positive, with many noting the profound impact it had on the students' perception of rugby.

The festival not only served as a platform for introducing the sport to new audiences but also reinforced the Community Chiefs' commitment to inclusivity, community engagement, and the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The Community Chiefs extends their thanks to all the schools, participants, coaches, and volunteers who made this festival a resounding success. We are inspired by the enthusiasm and potential displayed by all involved and look forward to nurturing these budding talents in the seasons to come.

MATCH REPORT

PREMIERSHIP RUGBY CUP SEMI-FINAL - SAT 17 FEB

Tries: Ludlow, Llewellyn, Hathaway

Cons: Barton

17

14

Tries: Vermeulen, Vintcent Cons: Skinner (2)

TOP PERFORMERS MATCH STATS

45% 55% 46% 54%

171

97

103

146 3 2

CARRIES TACKLES CLEAR OUTS

Gloucester: L Evans; A Hearle, M Llewellyn, S Atkinson (Hillman-Cooper 77’), J Hathaway; G Barton, C Englefield; J Ford-Robinson (Elrington 69’), G McGuigan (Blake 40’), K Gotovtsev (Knight 69’), F Clarke, C Jordan (Clark 73’), R Ackerman (Clement 63’), L Ludlow, Z Mercer.

Chiefs: J Hodge; B Hammersley, Z Wimbush, O Devoto (Rigg 59’), A Relton; H Skinner, T Cairns (Becconsall 54’); S Sio (Southworth 45’), M Norey (Yeandle 45’), E Painter (Iosefa-Scott 45’), R Tuima (Dunne 58’), L Pearson, J Vermeulen, R Capstick, G Fisilau (Vintcent 58’).

Referee: Christophe Ridley

MATCH REPORT

Cons:

Tries: Malcolm

Cons: Rowland

Tries: Menin, Kobayashi (3), Rogers, Fryday, Moloney

Cantorna (4)

66% 34% 86 215 147

Chiefs: A Tessier; E Sinclair, M Doidge, G Cantorna, K Buchanan (Kobayashi 14’); R Wilkins, B Bradley (Ortiz 69’); H Rogers (Swann 69’), E Tuttosi (Moloney 57’), D Menin (Hanlon 57’), N Fryday (Millar-Mills 63’), P Leitch, E Jefferies (McMahon 57’), M Allen (Bricknell 69’), R Johnson.

Loughborough Lightning: H Nelson; E Scantlebury, B Mataitoga (Morrall 47’), E Scarratt (Williams-Morris 69’), B Westcombe-Evans; H Rowland, L Weaver (Weaver 69’); K Trevarthen (Wells 57’), K Treder (Waudby 40’), C Belisle (Williams 63’), A Duguid, L Ives Campion (Taufoou 57’), R Malcolm (Svoboda 69’), S Kabeya, D Hibbert-Jones.

Referee: Richard Gordon Attendance: 1,884

Troy

Masfix

NE15 9RT

0191 264 5333

Franklin Steel

NE21 5TL 0191 499 0222

Rapid Tooling Solutions

NE11 0BU

0191 4474150

RS Industrial

NE11 0SH

0191 4914 888

NBT Integrated Services Ltd

NE12 5US

0191 2686 272

Wack Wholesale

NE23 1BB

01670 719561

Axminster Tools

Newcastle

NE29 7XB

01915 005966

ACT UK Group

NE31 2ES

9191 438 0200

MANAGEMENT EXETER CHIEFS WOMEN

SUSIE APPLEBY HEAD COACH

JACKIE COLES TEAM MANAGER

CAT MOORE TEAM MANAGER

OLLIE CHALK ANALYST

STEVE SALVIN ASSISTANT COACH

BEN MARTIN ASSISTANT COACH

MAT WILLIAMS STRENGTH & CONDITIONING SUPPORT

KEN KABONGO P HYSIOTHERAPIST

JOEL RANFT STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH

MAISY ALLEN

BACK-ROW

70KG (11ST)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 21/09/2001

KATIE BUCHANAN

FULL-BACK

69KG (10ST 12LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 31/07/2003

FLY-HALF/ CENTRE

68KG (10ST 9LBS)

1.70M (5FT 7INS) 01/08/2003

Available to sponsor

HARRIET BOND

WINGER

68KG (10ST 9LBS)

1.71M (5FT 7INS) 05/04/2003

Available to sponsor

GABBY CANTORNA

CENTRE

79KG (12ST 6LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 02/08/1995

MERRYN DOIDGE

FULL-BACK

68KG (10ST 9LBS)

1.75M (5FT 9INS) 02/12/2000

SCRUMHALF

58KG (9ST 1LB) 1.60M (5FT 2INS) 21/01/1999

LORI CRAMER

FULL-BACK/ WING

67KG (10ST 7LBS)

1.68M (5FT 6INS) 08/03/1993

Available to sponsor

BACK-ROW

85KG (13ST 5LBS)  1.73M (5FT 8INS)  18/05/2002

Available to sponsor

CENTRE

71KG (11ST 2LBS)

1.67M (5FT 5INS) 24/10/2003

Available to sponsor

ELLIE CUNNINGHAM

FLY-HALF

75KG (11ST 11LBS)

1.75M (5FT 9INS) 23/06/2004

Available to sponsor

LOCK

83KG (13ST)

1.75M (5FT 9INS)  02/06/1995

BROOKE BRADLEY

NAOMI BRENNAN

LOTTIE DADDS

NICHOLA FRYDAY

MADDIE FEAUNATI

HOOKER

87KG (13ST 9LBS)

1.71M (5FT 7INS) 30/07/2001

Available to sponsor

84G (13ST 3LBS)

1.70M (5FT 7INS) 05/02/1991

SAMMIE HARRIS

FULL-BACK

67KG (10ST 7LBS)

1.70M (5FT 7INS) 04/11/2001

Available to sponsor

CENTRE

68KG (10ST 9LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 13/11/1998

Available to sponsor

SCRUMHALF

67KG (10ST 7LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 07/09/1999

Available to sponsor

CENTRE

75KG (11ST 11LBS)

1.68M (5FT 6INS) 22/08/2004

BACK-ROW

77KG (12ST 1LB)

1.73M (5FT 8INS) 21/07/1999

72KG (11ST 4LBS)

1.69M (5FT 6INS) 04/07/1997

NANCY MCGILLIVRAY

1.67M (5FT 5INS) 04/01/1996  WING

PROP

66KG (10ST 5LBS)

92KG (14ST 6LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 16/06/1995

Available to sponsor

59KG (9ST 4LBS)

1.58M (5FT 2INS) 25/11/1997

Available to sponsor

1.68M (5FT 6INS) 15/11/2002  CENTRE

78KG (12ST 3LBS)

BACK-ROW

72KG (11ST 4LBS)

1.63M (5FT 4INS) 25/03/1994

72KG (11ST 4LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 13/05/2002  PROP

CENTRE/WING/ FULL-BACK

72KG (11ST 4LBS)

1.73M (5FT 8INS) 03/11/1990

Available to sponsor

85KG (13ST 5LBS)

1.78M (5FT 10INS) 16/04/1991

LIZZIE HANLON

EDEL MCMAHON

DALEAKA MENIN

ABBY MIDDLEBROOKE

EBONY JEFFERIES

ELOISE HAYWARD

RACHEL JOHNSON

BACK-ROW

KANAKO KOBAYASHI

POPPY LEITCH

LOCK/ BACK-ROW

SOPHIE LANGFORD

CLAUDIA MACDONALD

MAIRI MCDONALD

SCRUMHALF

HARRIET MILLAR-MILLS

BACK-ROW

EMILY MAGEE

1.67M (5FT 5INS) 31/05/1993  HOOKER

85KG (13ST 5LBS)

Available to sponsor

62KG (9ST 10LBS)

1.50M (4FT 11INS) 23/10/1997

Available to sponsor

PROP

80KG (12ST 8LBS)

1.67M (5FT 5INS) 17/11/1995

Available to sponsor

74KG (11ST 9LBS)

1.70M (5FT 7INS) 17/01/2001

73KG (11ST 6LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 22/10/1992

87KG (13ST 9LBS)

1.75M (5FT 9INS ) 26/05/2003

Available to sponsor

CENTRE

73KG (11ST 6LBS)

1.75M (5FT 7INS)

88KG

100KG

Available to sponsor

Available to sponsor

72KG (11ST 4LBS) 1.66M (5FT 5INS)

Available to sponsor

1.76M (5FT 9INS) 25/01/2005 LOCK

84KG (13ST 3LBS)

Available to sponsor

Available to sponsor

98KG (15ST 6LBS)

1.64M (5FT 4INS) 19/08/2004

Available to sponsor

66KG (10ST 5LBS)

1.66M (5FT 5INS) 01/11/1996

79KG (12ST 6LBS)

1.81M (5FT 11INS)

01/05/2002

Available to sponsor

KATE SMITH

LOCK

ALESSIA SKEATES

PROP

NIAMH ORCHARD

LOCK

CLARA NIELSON

HOOKER

OLIVIA ORTIZ

SCRUMHALF

JODIE OUNSLEY

WING

FELICITY POWDRELL

CENTRE / BACK-ROW

JOSIE PLANT

DANIELLE PREECE

KAYLEIGH PRIEST

HOOKER/ BACK-ROW

HOPE ROGERS

PROP

ALICIA PRINT

HANNAH SAMS

PROP

EILIDH SINCLAIR

CLIODHNA MOLONEY

PANASHE MUZAMBE

Performance Sports Scholarships available

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Photo from The Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final 2023