Exeter Chiefs facts for kids
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Full name | Exeter Rugby Club | |||
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Union | Devon RFU | |||
Founded | 1871 | |||
Location | Exeter, Devon, England | |||
Ground(s) | Sandy Park (Capacity: 15,600) | |||
Chairman | Tony Rowe | |||
CEO | Tony Rowe | |||
Director of Rugby | Rob Baxter | |||
Captain(s) | Dafydd Jenkins | |||
Most appearances | Ben Moon (300) | |||
Top scorer | Gareth Steenson (2,531) | |||
Most tries | Sam Simmonds (85) | |||
League(s) | Premiership Rugby | |||
2024–25 | 9th | |||
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Official website |
The Exeter Chiefs (officially called Exeter Rugby Club) is a professional rugby union team from Exeter, Devon, England. They play in Premiership Rugby, which is England's top rugby league.
The club started in 1871. Since 2006, they have played their home games at Sandy Park. This stadium was built just for them on the edge of the city. The team has been known as the Chiefs since 1999.
In 2010, the club was promoted to the Premiership for the first time. Since then, the Chiefs have become one of the best teams in the league. They won the championship title twice, in the 2016–17 and 2019–20 seasons. They also reached the final four other times. In October 2020, the Chiefs won the Champions Cup. This is the biggest prize in European club rugby. They beat the French team Racing 92 in the final.
Exeter is the only club to win the top four levels of English rugby. They won the Premiership in 2017 and 2020. They also won the RFU Championship in 2010, National League 1 in 1997, and National League 2 South in 1996. They have won the Anglo-Welsh Cup/Premiership Rugby Cup three times, most recently in 2022–23. They won the European Rugby Champions Cup once, in 2020.
The current director of rugby is Rob Baxter. He took on this role in March 2009.
Contents
Club History
How Exeter Rugby Started
Exeter Rugby Club was founded in 1871. Their first match was in 1873 against St. Luke's College. In 1890, they won the Devon Cup.
In 1905, the club hosted a special match at the County Ground. It was the first time the New Zealand team played on English soil. After this game, the New Zealand team became known as the "All Blacks". When league rugby began, Exeter first played in the Devon leagues.
Moving Up the Leagues
In 1997, Exeter was promoted to the Premiership Two for the first time. They often finished in the top half of the table. In 2005, Exeter finished second in their league. They just missed out on being promoted to the top division.
The next season, in 2006, they moved from the County Ground to Sandy Park. This new stadium had better facilities. In 2008 and 2009, they again finished second in the league but missed promotion.
Joining the Premiership
In 2009, the league was changed to the RFU Championship with playoffs. Exeter finished second in the regular season. In the playoffs, they beat Bedford Blues and Nottingham. Then, they faced Bristol in a two-game final. Exeter won the first game 9–6 at Sandy Park. They won the second game 29–10 at Bristol's stadium. This win promoted them to the Premiership for the first time!
In their first Premiership season (2010–11), they finished eighth. They also played in the European Challenge Cup for the first time. They reached the quarter-finals before losing to Stade Français. The next season, they finished fifth in the Premiership. This allowed them to play in the Heineken Cup (now Champions Cup) for the first time. In 2014, Exeter Chiefs won their first major trophy. They beat Northampton Saints 15–8 in the Anglo-Welsh Cup final at Sandy Park.
Recent Successes
In the 2015–16 season, the Chiefs finished second in the Premiership. They reached their first Premiership final but lost 28–20 to Saracens. They also reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup that season.
In 2016–17, the Chiefs won the Premiership for the first time ever! They beat Wasps 23–20 in the final. The game went into extra time, and captain Gareth Steenson kicked a penalty to win.
The Chiefs finished first in the 2017–18 season. However, they lost to Saracens in the final.
The 2019–20 season was their most successful. They won an amazing "double" by winning both the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Premiership.
In the 2023–2024 season, Exeter finished 7th. They reached the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup and the semi-finals of the Rugby Cup.
The 2024-25 season started tough for the Chiefs. They lost their first six Premiership games. In October 2024, they changed their defence coach. In January 2025, they had a big home defeat to Bordeaux Bègles.
Sandy Park Stadium
Exeter Chiefs play their home games at Sandy Park. It is on the edge of the city. The club moved there in 2006 from their old home, the County Ground. They had played at the County Ground since 1905.
Exeter Chiefs started looking for a new stadium in 2002. They needed more modern facilities to help the club grow. Sandy Park can hold 15,600 fans. There are plans to make it even bigger in the future.
Team Logos and Kits
Current Kit
The team's kit is made by Samurai Rugby Gear. Sika is the main sponsor for the 2024/25 season. Their logo is on the front of the shirt. Other sponsors appear on different parts of the kit, like Troy, Watson, M.J Baker Foods, Centrax, Sandy Park, Bradfords Building Supplies, SW Comms, Frobishers Juices, and Otter Brewery.
Logo Change
In 1999, Exeter Rugby Club became semi-professional and changed its name to Exeter Chiefs. They started using a logo of a man wearing a headdress. The team had been called the Chiefs since the 1930s.
Over time, some people felt that using Native American imagery was not respectful. In July 2020, a group of supporters asked the club to stop using this imagery. They compared the use of headdresses and the "tomahawk chop" chant to blackface. A petition was started, and many people supported the change.
The club's board discussed the issue. They decided their branding was "highly respectful" but agreed to stop using their mascot, Big Chief, because it "could be regarded as disrespectful". However, many people felt this change was not enough.
In October 2021, another rugby club, Wasps, asked the RFU to look into Exeter fans wearing Native American-style headdresses. They asked fans not to wear them. In November 2021, the National Congress of American Indians wrote an open letter. They asked Exeter to change their logo, stop using headdresses, and rename places like the 'Wigwam Bar'.
On January 27, 2022, the club announced they would stop using the Native American branding in July 2022. The club now uses images that show the Iron Age tribe called the Dumnonii.
Season Results
Premiership | Domestic Cup | European Cup | ||||||
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Season | Competition | Final Position | Points | Play-Offs | Competition | Performance | Competition | Performance |
1987–88 | Courage League Division 3 | 9th | 8 | N/A | John Player Cup | N/A | No competition | N/A |
1988–89 | Courage League Division 3 | 9th | 8 | Pilkington Cup | 3rd round | |||
1989–90 | Courage League Division 3 | 6th | 11 | Pilkington Cup | 4th round | |||
1990–91 | Courage League Division 3 | 4th | 16 | Pilkington Cup | 3rd round | |||
1991–92 | Courage League Division 3 | 4th | 18 | Pilkington Cup | 2nd round | |||
1992–93 | Courage League Division 3 | 3rd | 17 | Pilkington Cup | Quarter-final | |||
1993–94 | Courage League Division 3 | 6th | 19 | Pilkington Cup | 2nd round | |||
1994–95 | Courage League Division 3 | 10th (R) | 7 | Pilkington Cup | Quarter-final | |||
1995–96 | Courage League Division 4 | 1st (P) | 28 | Pilkington Cup | 4th round | No English teams | N/A | |
1996–97 | Courage League Division 3 | 1st (P) | 50 | Pilkington Cup | 3rd round | Not qualified | N/A | |
1997–98 | Allied Dunbar Premiership 2 | 11th | 12 | Tetley's Bitter Cup | 4th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
C&G Cup | 4th in pool | |||||||
1998–99 | Allied Dunbar Premiership 2 | 5th | 29 | Tetley's Bitter Cup | 5th round | No English teams | N/A | |
C&G Cup | 2nd round | |||||||
1999–00 | Allied Dunbar Premiership 2 | 4th | 38 | Tetley's Bitter Cup | 4th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
2000–01 | National Division 1 | 3rd | 71 | Tetley's Bitter Cup | 4th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
2001–02 | National Division 1 | 3rd | 92 | Powergen Cup | 6th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
Powergen Shield | Runners-up | |||||||
2002–03 | National Division 1 | 3rd | 104 | Powergen Cup | 6th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
Powergen Shield | Runners-up | |||||||
2003–04 | National Division 1 | 6th | 74 | Powergen Cup | 4th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
2004–05 | National Division 1 | 2nd | 101 | Powergen Cup | 5th round | Not qualified | N/A | |
2005–06 | National Division 1 | 6th | 71 | EDF Energy Trophy | Semi-final | Not qualified | N/A | |
2006–07 | National Division 1 | 4th | 101 | EDF Energy Trophy | Runners-up | Not qualified | N/A | |
2007–08 | National Division 1 | 2nd | 116 | EDF Energy Trophy | Runners-up | Not qualified | N/A | |
2008–09 | National Division 1 | 2nd | 119 | EDF Energy Trophy | Semi-final | Not qualified | N/A | |
2009–10 | RFU Championship | 2nd (P) | 88 | Champions | British and Irish Cup | 4th in pool | Not qualified | N/A |
2010–11 | Premiership | 8th | 43 | - | LV= Cup | 4th in pool | Challenge Cup | 2nd in pool |
2011–12 | Premiership | 5th | 59 | - | LV= Cup | 2nd in pool | Challenge Cup | Quarter-final |
2012–13 | Premiership | 6th | 59 | - | LV= Cup | 2nd in pool | Heineken Cup | 3rd in pool |
2013–14 | Premiership | 8th | 45 | - | LV= Cup | Champions | Heineken Cup | 3rd in pool |
2014–15 | Premiership | 5th | 68 | - | LV= Cup | Runners-up | Challenge Cup | Semi-final |
2015–16 | Premiership | 2nd | 74 | Runners-up | No competition | N/A | Champions Cup | Quarter-final |
2016–17 | Premiership | 2nd | 84 | Champions | Anglo-Welsh Cup | Runners-up | Champions Cup | 3rd in pool |
2017–18 | Premiership | 1st | 85 | Runners-up | Anglo-Welsh Cup | Champions | Champions Cup | 2nd in pool |
2018–19 | Premiership | 1st | 86 | Runners-up | Premiership Cup | 2nd in pool | Champions Cup | 2nd in pool |
2019–20 | Premiership | 1st | 74 | Champions | Premiership Cup | Semi-final | Champions Cup | Champions |
2020–21 | Premiership | 2nd | 82 | Runners-up | Premiership Cup | no competition | Champions Cup | Quarter-finals |
2021–22 | Premiership | 7th | 69 | - | Premiership Cup | 3rd in pool | Champions Cup | Round of 16 |
2022–23 | Premiership | 7th | 48 | - | Premiership Cup | Champions | Champions Cup | Semi-final |
2023–24 | Premiership | 7th | 50 | - | Premiership Cup | Semi-final | Champions Cup | Quarter-final |
Gold background means they were champions
Silver background means they were runners-up
Pink background means they were moved down a league
Club Trophies
Exeter Chiefs Main Team
- European Rugby Champions Cup
- Champions: (1) 2019–20
- Premiership Rugby
- Champions: (2) 2016–17, 2019–20
- Runners–Up: (4) 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020-21
- Anglo-Welsh Cup /Premiership Rugby Cup
- Champions: (3) 2013–14, 2017–18, 2022–23
- Runners–Up: (2) 2014–15, 2016–17
- RFU Championship
- Champions: (1) 2009–10
- Runners–Up: (3) 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09
- National League 1
- Champions: (1) 1996–97
- National League 2 South
- Champions: (1) 1995–96
- EDF Energy Trophy
- Runners–Up: (4) 2001–02, 2002–03, 2006–07, 2007–08
- Devon RFU Senior Cup (tier 5)
- Champions: (16) 1889–90, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1979–80, 1981–82, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96
- Devon RFU Junior Cup
- Champions: (1) 1905–06 (reserve side)
Exeter Braves (Reserve Team)
- Premiership Rugby Shield
- Champions: (2) 2011–12, 2015–16
Current Players
Here is the Exeter Chiefs squad for the 2024–25 season:
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
Academy Squad
The Exeter Chiefs Academy squad helps train future players:
Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.
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Club Staff
First Team Coaching
Role | Name |
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Director of Rugby | ![]() |
Head coach | ![]() |
Backs and Attack coach | ![]() |
Assistant Forwards coach | ![]() |
Skills coach | ![]() |
Defence coach | ![]() |
Academy
Role | Name |
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Academy manager | ![]() |
Famous Former Players
Lions Tourists
These players toured with the Lions while playing for Exeter:
- 2017: Jack Nowell, Tomas Francis
- 2021: Stuart Hogg, Sam Simmonds, Jonny Hill, Luke Cowan-Dickie
Rugby World Cup Players
The following players represented their countries at the Rugby World Cup while playing for Exeter:
Tournament | Players selected | England players | Other national team players |
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2003 | 3 | - | Richard Liddington ![]() ![]() |
2011 | 3 | - | Gonzalo Camacho ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2015 | 7 | Geoff Parling, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade | Tomas Francis ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2019 | 6 | Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade | Stuart Hogg ![]() ![]() ![]() |
2023 | 3 | Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza ![]() ![]() |
See also
In Spanish: Exeter Chiefs para niños