Exeter Chiefs thread

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I actually quite like that idea but I've got his 2017 vintage in my head. What's he like now?

I've not seen him to be honest in a season or so but he'd be some good solid experience that would probably gel in the squad quite well with the strong Welsh contingent.

 

[Scotty]

Exeter's Jenkins to miss Premiership start after surgery - https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cvg5p0l6207o

First Slade and now Jenkins out for the star of the season.

 

[West Country Wail]

Exeter's Jenkins to miss Premiership start after surgery - https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cvg5p0l6207o

First Slade and now Jenkins out for the star of the season.

I don't mind this too much as the lad needs a break and with Tuima/Dunne and Pearson as a pair, with the latter doing the calling, I think we're in a good place. If one of those goes down then it's finally time to see if that Eoin O'connor is up to much. Big lad but haven't seen much of him at all outside the match with the Navy

 

[West Country Wail]

So, Omar gone and other heads near the block too. To be honest, Omar had a track record of 2 years in post for Chiefs, Bristol and then Worcester in their respective 'bad patches'. Correlation doesn't suggest correlation but.... you know.

It doesn't excuse individual skill errors on the pitch but we can't keep letting such easy tries in. Quins looked in 3rd gear for most of their tries.

Controversial take but I think Hepher's time has come too. We have looked one dimensional in attack for a number of years and cannot rely on individual brilliance. There is also rumours of friction between Hepher and previous players too.

A coaching change and an elder scrum half to stear the ship away from the rocks. That's not too much to ask, is it?

Would Lee Blackett/Rowntree want a head coach role? Can Baxter pull it together?

We were arguably the best club team in the world 4 years ago...

 

[Which Tyler]

Would Lee Blackett/Rowntree want a head coach role?

Think Blackett's being groomed as JvG's successor at Bath, with strong rumours of returning to SA after the 2027RWC

 

[West Country Wail]

Think Blackett's being groomed as JvG's successor at Bath, with strong rumours of returning to SA after the 2027RWC

Thought as much

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I feel 3 years is a hell of a while for a head coach role when you already have experience with it

 

[West Country Wail]

I feel 3 years is a hell of a while for a head coach role when you already have experience with it

I'd be getting itchy feet yeah

 

[Which Tyler]

I feel 3 years is a hell of a while for a head coach role when you already have experience with it

Indeed - and even if that is the plan, there's nothing to say that he wouldn't be open to other offers.
But I'd doubt the itchy feet thing - financial security when you're previous job simply ceased to exist, can be a powerful motivator.

Other nuances are things like HC vs DoR - unofficially, he seems to be pseudo-head coach already at Bath, with JvG in the psuedo-DoR role - which would mitigate against itchy feet.
Further nuance could be a desire to take on a team that's performing less than the sum of its parts, and become a hero by molding them into more than the sum of their parts. Countering that is currently coaching a team challenging for silverware...

Ultimately, I'm sure he could be tempted by an offer. I don't know if he'd accept.

 

[Scotty]

So, Omar gone and other heads near the block too. To be honest, Omar had a track record of 2 years in post for Chiefs, Bristol and then Worcester in their respective 'bad patches'. Correlation doesn't suggest correlation but.... you know.

It doesn't excuse individual skill errors on the pitch but we can't keep letting such easy tries in. Quins looked in 3rd gear for most of their tries.

Controversial take but I think Hepher's time has come too. We have looked one dimensional in attack for a number of years and cannot rely on individual brilliance. There is also rumours of friction between Hepher and previous players too.

A coaching change and an elder scrum half to stear the ship away from the rocks. That's not too much to ask, is it?

Would Lee Blackett/Rowntree want a head coach role? Can Baxter pull it together?

We were arguably the best club team in the world 4 years ago...

We need coaching changes to tbh and I've worried abou5 Hepther for a while. Keep Baxter is the main thing but need changes below.


In other news it's good to see Tommy Wyatt back and Beckinsall getting more gametime. Also WHW he's a good player but had little gametime with us then doesn't perform, it's a good chance for them.

Is Pearson the other lock that's been injured? If so that's good.

I really want PBB to be great be he has alot of developing to do in many areas pf his game.

 

[West Country Wail]

Full noise for the cup game with Pirates

40 - 7 at HT

Not in the spirit of the cup but....

 

[Scotty]

Happy with the results but doesn't really change ge alot with the season, just hopfully brings some confidence

 

[Welsh Exile]

Apparently Hawkins contract is up end of the season. Gatland implying he could be available for the next 6N (obviously he'd have to agree a deal with a Welsh region for that to happen)

Also talk of him being brought back as a 10.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Apparently Hawkins contract is up end of the season. Gatland implying he could be available for the next 6N (obviously he'd have to agree a deal with a Welsh region for that to happen)

Also talk of him being brought back as a 10.

Has been really underwhelming for us IMO. Would be surprised if we make too much of an effort to keep hold of him, especially considering he's presumably on a fairly reasonable chunk of cash.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Has been really underwhelming for us IMO. Would be surprised if we make too much of an effort to keep hold of him, especially considering he's presumably on a fairly reasonable chunk of cash.

Yeah, while I've not exactly watched all of Exeters games I also haven't heard/read/seen anything about him pulling up trees other than little bits here and there.

He's had injury issues though hasn't he? Could be part of the reason he's struggled for form.

 

[West Country Wail]

He's just not the crash ball 12 that Chiefs (Hepher?) want him to be. Rigg is far and away better in that role and with Tua finally starting, Hawkins' time seems up. Good luck to him but it just didn't work here, unfortunately. Nice lad.

 

[Scotty]

Why are we all of a sudden playing Slade at 10? What's happened to Skinner who it isn't on the unavailable through injury list.

Slade has always been an average 10 and out best 13

 

[West Country Wail]

Why are we all of a sudden playing Slade at 10? What's happened to Skinner who it isn't on the unavailable through injury list.

Slade has always been an average 10 and out best 13

Spoke out against tactics around the Falcons game and has been buried for it, the rumour goes.

 

[Scotty]

Spoke out against tactics around the Falcons game and has been buried for it, the rumour goes.

I really hope that's not true, I don't massively rate him and WHW needs gametime but Slade is a waste and Skinner is the best we have

 

[stus768]

Basically what happened with Simmonds? Coaches (Hepher) cant handle being challenged by players.