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Exeter statement: Tony Rowe and the alleged 'fading dynasty'

Exeter's Henry Slade celebrates (Photo by Bob Bradford/CameraSport via Getty Images)

Exeter have issued a statement calling out critics who alleged this time last year that the Chiefs were a fading dynasty. The 2020 Gallagher Premiership and European Cup double winners endured an underwhelming 2022/23 campaign, finishing seventh in the league.

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They also lost long-established stars such as the Simmonds brothers, Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Harry Williams and Dave Ewers to rival clubs abroad and in England.

However, they have bounced back this season and are currently just one point off the play-off positions in the league. They have also reached the last 16 in Europe where they will host Bath in early April while 10 players have recently played international rugby in the Guinness Six Nations or with England A.

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Joe Simmonds on his headspace at Exeter

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    Joe Simmonds on his headspace at Exeter

    This upturn in fortunes has now resulted in Exeter circulating a media statement titled: Tony Rowe issues warning to doubters.

    Its content read: “Exeter chairman and CEO Tony Rowe condemns those who doubted the Chiefs as they once again prove that they have what it takes to challenge for glory in the Gallagher Premiership and Investec Champions Cup.

    Gallagher Premiership

    P
    W
    L
    D
    PF
    PA
    PD
    BP T
    BP-7
    BP
    Total
    1
    Northampton
    12
    9
    3
    0
    44
    2
    Harlequins
    12
    7
    5
    0
    37
    3
    Bath
    12
    7
    5
    0
    37
    4
    Saracens
    12
    7
    5
    0
    36
    5
    Exeter Chiefs
    12
    7
    5
    0
    35
    6
    Leicester
    12
    7
    5
    0
    33
    7
    Sale
    12
    7
    5
    0
    32
    8
    Bristol
    12
    6
    6
    0
    30
    9
    Gloucester
    12
    3
    9
    0
    22
    10
    Newcastle
    12
    0
    12
    0
    4

    “Barely 12 months on from being written off as a fading dynasty with a host of front-line names announcing their departures, Exeter now have 10 players thriving on the international stage.

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    “Roll the clock back to nearly a year ago: in March 2023 speculation was rife on how Chiefs could recover from the perceived blow of front-line talismans like Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Joe Simmonds, Harry Williams and Dave Ewers departing Exeter at the end of the season.

    “This resulted in many writing the Chiefs off. However, the cogs were in motion to build a new team of talented individuals. By bidding farewell to players nearing the ends of their careers or choosing to retire, Exeter were ushering in the exciting prospect of new recruits and home-grown talent.

    “Alongside the talent fostered by the Exeter Chiefs academy and the links with the University of Exeter, Rob Baxter’s recruitment was integral to the challenge of building a competitive team for the 2023/24 season.

    “To date, Chiefs have secured seven wins in the Premiership with a play-off spot still on the cards. There was also a semi-final appearance in the Prem Cup, with a last-16 appearance in the Investec Champions Cup still to come at Sandy Park.

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    “Impressive performances in all competitions meant the Chiefs men began to catch the eyes of international coaches. The result is a total of six Chiefs named in Guinness Six Nations camps – Henry Slade, Ethan Roots and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso for England; Dafydd Jenkins as captain of Wales; Alec Hepburn for Scotland and Ross Vintcent called up to Italy.

    “Slade, the lasting fan-favourite, has enjoyed a resurgence amongst his eager Chiefs teammates, while barnstorming Roots and hot-footed Feyi-Waboso both caught Steve Borthwick’s eyes as talents for the future of English rugby.

    “Jenkins, emerging as a quiet, lead-by-example captain in Chiefs colours, was handed the honour by Warren Gatland to become the second youngest Welsh captain in history. Hepburn’s Scottish eligibility inspired Gregor Townsend, who called upon the Aussie-born prop to bolster his thistle ranks.

    “Vintcent, surpassing all personal goals already this season with appearances in the Premiership and Champions Cup, muscled his way into Gonzalo Quesada’s Italian plans through sheer hard work.

    “In addition, exciting full-back Josh Hodge, hard-carrying back-rower Greg Fisilau, exuberant lock Rusi Tuima and tough tighthead prop Josh Iosefa-Scott were all called upon by Borthwick to test themselves in the England A squad with a keen eye on their possible England first-team futures.

    “The wealth of knowledge players will accumulate in their country squads will be filtered back into Baxter’s young squad, inspiring teammates to realise with grit and determination, it could be a chance available to them as well.

    “The season is not yet complete so, with knockout rugby and a tough Premiership campaign to complete, there are still opportunities for other talented individuals in the squad to shine.

    “This young squad has maintained the remarkable record that Exeter hold at fortress Sandy Park, and with record attendances and season ticket sales for the 2024/25 season already surpassing 3,000, the fans are flocking to see them in action.

    “Tony Rowe, who has overseen the club through its journey from the National Leagues to the pinnacle of European rugby, is right to remind the sporting world that they should think twice before they write off the Exeter Chiefs.”

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    PL 1 hour ago
    Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

    I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

    Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


    Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


    The officiating of last feet is non existent

    The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

    A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


    Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

    Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


    About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

    Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


    The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


    I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


    The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

    Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

    Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

    My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


    Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


    Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

    Last feet to last feet + 1 m


    When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


    As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


    Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

    25 were scrum for dissent


    Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


    All the s.ite would disappear


    The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


    Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

    1 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 2 hours ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

    His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

    But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

    And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


    I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

    For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

    But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


    As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

    Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


    And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

    So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

    France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

    237 Go to comments
    S
    Soliloquin 3 hours ago
    Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

    Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

    But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

    He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

    Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

    He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

    He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


    I really hope that:

    -Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

    -Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

    -Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

    237 Go to comments
    LONG READ
    LONG READ Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France