Exeter chiefs chairman has ‘made his mind up’ about under-pressure boss Rob Baxter
Rugby NewsWednesday, 30 April 2025 at 14:34
The crisis at Exeter Chiefs hit a dramatic new low on Monday night as long-serving coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher were sensationally suspended, following the club’s heaviest-ever Premiership defeat.
Competition: Get a Chance to Watch the Lions in Australia
With pressure mounting and performances falling far below expectations, the Chiefs have launched a bold reset aimed at dragging the club back to its former glory.
BACK IN THE TRENCHES: BAXTER RETURNS TO COACHING FRONTLINE
Despite some speculation over his own future, Rob Baxter has received the club’s full backing and will now take a far more hands-on role in day-to-day coaching.
“As part of a broader reset within the rugby department,” the club confirmed, “Exeter Chiefs have confirmed that Director of Rugby Rob Baxter will be stepping back into a more hands-on coaching role, bringing with him the leadership, vision, and clarity that have underpinned the club’s greatest successes.”
The man who masterminded Exeter’s rise from Championship contenders to Premiership and European champions is stepping back into the technical zone with one mission: get the Chiefs back to their brutal best.
"FOUNDATIONS NEED REINFORCING" – ROWE PULLS NO PUNCHES
Chief Executive and Chairman Tony Rowe CBE didn’t hold back when addressing the disconnect inside the club.
“There has been a clear disconnect between the playing squad and the coaching staff, and it is something we simply cannot allow to continue,” Rowe said.
“Exeter Rugby Club is built on togetherness, hard work and shared standards, and right now, those foundations need reinforcing.”
Rowe made it clear Baxter is the man to rebuild that unity, praising his unmatched ability to create a winning culture and foster player development like no one else in club history.
RETHINKING THE BACKROOM: FULL COACHING REVIEW UNDERWAY
While Baxter gets stuck in on the training pitch, the club is also reviewing the entire coaching set-up as part of its long-term strategy to prepare for the 2025/26 season and beyond.
This isn't just about knee-jerk reactions to a poor run of form—Rowe insists this is about rediscovering the club’s identity.
“This is about more than just responding to results,” Rowe added. “It’s about re-establishing who we are and where we’re going.”
"THANK YOU" TO THE FANS
In a final rallying cry, Rowe also addressed the Chiefs faithful, thanking them for their unwavering support during a tough campaign.
“The bond between the team and the fans has always been a cornerstone of the club’s success, and that unity will be more important than ever as the Chiefs look to build momentum heading into the future.”
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Jim Telfer names 12 England stars in Lions squad – Marcus Smith misses out
The former Lions coach, who famously delivered the spine-tingling ‘Everest’ speech on the 1997 tour, opted for three players per position in a balanced selection for Scottish Rugby News.
And while some inclusions were expected, Telfer hasn’t been afraid to raise eyebrows, especially with some bold calls in the backline.
Genge leads the English charge up front
Ellis Genge is a nailed-on pick at loosehead, joining Ireland’s Andrew Porter and Scotland’s Rory Sutherland.
Despite fitness concerns, Luke Cowan-Dickie is also included at hooker. There’s no England tighthead in the squad — a rare omission.
In the second row, Maro Itoje and Ollie Chessum are both in, underlining their continued importance at international level.
Back-row packed with English muscle
Telfer has gone heavy on Englishmen in the back-row — naming Ben Earl and Tom Curry at blindside, with Ben Curry making the cut at openside alongside Josh van der Flier and Jac Morgan.
There’s no room for Zach Mercer, Sam Underhill, or Alex Dombrandt, despite all being part of the England conversation at various points.
Surprise call-ups out wide
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the selection of Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck on the wing, with both making huge impressions in the Premiership this season.
They’re joined by Fin Smith at fly-half and George Furbank, who has quietly impressed, as one of three full-back options.
Alex Mitchell is the sole English scrum-half picked, with no room for Danny Care or Harry Randall.
No Farrell, Marcus, or Steward
Shockingly, there’s no Owen Farrell, Marcus Smith, or Freddie Steward — three players who’ve carried the England backline for much of the last few years.
“Any selections should be based on the quality of the player,” Telfer told Scotland Rugby News.
“Not the name on the jersey. Some will disagree – but this squad can win in Australia.”
Full: Jim Telfer’s 45-man British & Irish Lions squad
Props
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)
Loosehead: Ellis Genge (ENG), Andrew Porter (IRE), Rory Sutherland (SCO)
Tighthead: Tadhg Furlong (IRE), Finlay Bealham (IRE), Zander Fagerson (SCO)
Hookers
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (ENG), Dan Sheehan (IRE), Dewi Lake (WAL)
Locks
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Maro Itoje (ENG), Ollie Chessum (ENG), Joe McCarthy (IRE), Tadhg Beirne (IRE), Dafydd Jenkins (WAL), Scott Cummings (SCO)
Back Row
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)
Blindside: Tom Curry (ENG), Ben Earl (ENG), Jamie Ritchie (SCO)
Openside: Josh van der Flier (IRE), Ben Curry (ENG), Jac Morgan (WAL)
Number 8: Caelan Doris (IRE), Jack Conan (IRE), Taulupe Faletau (WAL)
Scrum-halves
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Jamison Gibson-Park (IRE), Alex Mitchell (ENG), Tomos Williams (WAL)
Fly-halves
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)
Finn Russell (SCO), Fin Smith (ENG), Sam Prendergast (IRE)
Centres
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)
Inside Centre: Bundee Aki (IRE), Sione Tuipulotu (SCO), Ben Thomas (WAL)
Outside Centre: Garry Ringrose (IRE), Huw Jones (SCO), Robbie Henshaw (IRE)
Wingers
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)
Right Wing: Tommy Freeman (ENG), Darcy Graham (SCO), Tom Roebuck (ENG)
Left Wing: James Lowe (IRE), Duhan van der Merwe (SCO), Kyle Steyn (SCO)
Full-backs
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)
Hugo Keenan (IRE), Blair Kinghorn (SCO), George Furbank (ENG)
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