kids encyclopedia robot

Exeter Chiefs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Exeter Rugby
Exeter Chiefs new logo 2022.png
Full name Exeter Rugby Club
Union Devon RFU
Founded 1871; 154 years ago (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
1st kit
2nd kit
3rd kit
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.

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

Exeter Chiefs logo
Chiefs logo from 1999 to 2022

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
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.

Player Position Union
Max Norey Hooker England England
Jack Yeandle Hooker England England
Kwenzo Blose Prop South Africa South Africa
Ethan Burger Prop South Africa South Africa
Will Goodrick-Clarke Prop England England
Josh Iosefa-Scott Prop England England
Ehren Painter Prop England England
Jimmy Roots Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Scott Sio Prop Australia Australia
Dafydd Jenkins Lock Wales Wales
Lewis Pearson Lock England England
Rus Tuima Lock England England
Richard Capstick Back row England England
Greg Fisilau Back row England England
Martin Moloney Back row Ireland Ireland
Ethan Roots Back row England England
Christ Tshiunza Back row Wales Wales
Ross Vintcent Back row Italy Italy
Player Position Union
Tom Cairns Scrum-half England England
Will Haydon-Wood Fly-half England England
Harvey Skinner Fly-half England England
Will Rigg Centre England England
Henry Slade Centre England England
Tamati Tua Centre New Zealand New Zealand
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso Wing England England
Ben Hammersley Wing England England
Olly Woodburn Wing England England
Tom Wyatt Wing England England
Josh Hodge Fullback England England
Dan John Fullback Wales Wales

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.

Player Position Union
Louie Gulley Hooker England England
Sol Moody Hooker England England
Elliot Young Hooker Scotland Scotland
Keita Ando Prop Scotland Scotland
Joe Bailey Lock England England
Oscar Beckerleg Lock England England
Alfie Bell Lock England England
Charlie Bell Back row England England
Jack Forsythe Back row England England
Kane James Back row Wales Wales
Finn Worley-Brady Back row England England
Player Position Union
Will Becconsall Scrum-half England England
Orson James Scrum-half Wales Wales

rugby squad player | nat=ENG | pos=FH | name=Ben Coen}}

Iwan Jenkins Fly-half Wales Wales
Louie Sinclair Fly-half England England
Nic Allison Centre South Africa South Africa
Kian Gentry Centre England England
Campbell Ridl Centre England England
Zack Wimbush Centre England England
Paul Brown-Bampoe Wing England England
Tom Burton Fullback England England

Club Staff

First Team Coaching

Role Name
Director of Rugby England Rob Baxter
Head coach England Rob Hunter
Backs and Attack coach England Ali Hepher
Assistant Forwards coach England Ross McMillan
Skills coach England Ricky Pellow
Defence coach England Haydn Thomas

Academy

Role Name
Academy manager England Rob Gibson

Famous Former Players

Lions Tourists

These players toured with the Lions while playing for Exeter:

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
2003 3 - Richard Liddington United States, Siaosi Vaili, Opeta Palepoi Samoa
2011 3 - Gonzalo Camacho Argentina, Junior Poluleuligaga Samoa, Craig Mitchell Wales
2015 7 Geoff Parling, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade Tomas Francis Wales, Chrysander Botha Namibia, Elvis Taione Tonga, Michele Campagnaro Italy
2019 6 Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade Stuart Hogg Scotland, Nic White Australia, Tomas Francis Wales
2023 3 Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza Wales, Nika Abuladze Georgia (country)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Exeter Chiefs para niños

kids search engine
Exeter Chiefs Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.