'Extraordinary times' - Exeter boss Tony Rowe pens open letter

Exeter Chiefs Chairman and Chief Executive Tony Rowe has penned a gushing open letter to the club's faithful in what he has described as 'extraordinary times' for the sport.

Exeter have been forced to stage a friendly at Sandy Park this weekend after Gallagher Premiership rivals Wasps pulled out of the fixture after indicating that they are entering administration, the second club to do in so many weeks after Worcester Warriors closed its doors.

Remarkably the Chiefs have been able to pull together a game against local rivals Bristol Bears at short notice.

Rowe has now sought to reassure Exeter fans and thank them for their ongoing support as the sport enters a turbulent post-pandemic landscape.

"These are extraordinary times for our Sport and with the problems faced by both Worcester Warriors and Wasps, there has never been a greater need for togetherness and support. We have been saddened by what has happened at both clubs and we hope for a positive outcome for everyone involved.

"My time at the helm of Exeter Rugby Club has always been about balancing the necessity for growth on and off the field, with the deployment of a careful and calculated financial strategy, never overstretching ourselves, whilst maintaining long-term growth as a core principle.

"Our fans have been at the heart of this strategy, and your support has been vital in allowing our club to reach the heights that we have enjoyed together over the past 25 years!

"This Saturday we have worked hard to ensure that we are still able to come together and enjoy a match day at Sandy Park despite the loss of our original fixture. Whilst it will not be the Gallagher Premiership battle that we had all hoped for, we can’t wait to welcome Bristol Bears to Exeter and we’re grateful to them for providing opposition at such short notice!

"There is never a backward step taken in a West Country Derby and I have no doubt that the action on the pitch will provide world class entertainment.

"We’re also delighted that the whole squad will be at the stadium for the day, interacting with you, our fantastic fans, and taking part in a variety of events around the ground, from signings to Q&A’s. It promises to be a celebratory mood at Sandy Park!

"We understand your disappointment at the change of fixture, but we ask you to stand with us and keep supporting the team. This club is nothing without the Chiefs Family who turn up week in, week out, and we thank you for making Sandy Park the incredible place it has become," concluded the letter.

The English top flight is indeed entering uncharted territory with the apparent demise of two clubs within the space of a fortnight.

Exeter’s director of rugby Rob Baxter has suggested that a 10-team Premiership could be the best way for the league to thrive in the future.

“I thought it was madness to go to 13 (teams),” Baxter said. “Going to 13 in a weird kind of way almost signed a warrant for someone to not be able to stay in there.

“Before anything else it doesn’t make any common sense and it wrecks the calendar anyway.

“A league of 10 home and away, with their international commitments and a cup competition for the guys not involved in internationals, starts to sound very common sense.”

additional reporting PA