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Exeter statement: Friendly to replace called-off Wasps game
By Liam Heagney
Exeter have moved quickly to fill the sudden void in their match calendar, announcing that they will host Bristol in a friendly at Sandy Park after it was confirmed that Wasps had pulled out of the originally scheduled Gallagher Premiership match at the ground.
Chiefs boss Rob Baxter had insisted on Wednesday morning that his squad were preparing for the fixture with Wasps to go ahead as planned and that if there were talks with Premiership Rugby regarding the match being in jeopardy, they would involve Tony Rowe and not the director of rugby.
“If that is going on with Premiership Rugby that would be Tony dealing with it. It wouldn’t be something that I am actively involved in. If it is raised I wouldn’t like to say because it would be me talking a little bit out of ignorance."
That was the view of Baxter at 9:30am but it then emerged four hours later that the Coventry-based club would definitely not be travelling to Exeter after players and staff were informed that the club will fall into administration in the next few days.
That call-off resulted in Exeter quickly firming up a plan B and although Bristol, the club they impressively beat last Friday at Ashton Gate, have a Premiership match scheduled at Gloucester this Saturday, they will now be sending an XV to Sandy Park to play the Chiefs in a friendly.
A Chiefs statement read: “Exeter Rugby Club can confirm Saturday’s scheduled Gallagher Premiership round six clash with Wasps has been called off. However, the club have moved swiftly to ensure that rugby remains at Sandy Park this weekend as we will now be hosting a friendly fixture between Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears (3pm).”
Chairman and CEO Rowe said: “Our match-day experiences will continue as normal for all supporters, including our Super Saturday experience, corporate offerings, as well as pre and post-match entertainment.
“For those supporters who have tickets for the Wasps fixture, these will still be valid for Saturday and we encourage everyone to come along and enjoy what will be another exciting fixture with Bristol. All match-day travel arrangements will remain in place for the game as well.
“We are saddened to hear today’s announcement made by Wasps Holdings Limited. The loss of the fixture this weekend is hugely disappointing, not only for those associated with Wasps but also our own supporters and the wider rugby community as a whole.”
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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