As the 2024-25 Gallagher Premiership season kicks off, Exeter Chiefs are looking to build on the foundations they laid down last season. After the 2022-23 'Exeterdus' which saw the likes of club legends Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Simmonds leaving Sandy Park, Rob Baxter's youthful squad were the surprise package of last season. Now, the Chiefs are eager to prove that they can compete at the highest level once again.
Key Players:
Henry Slade, the team's MVP, remains central to everything good Exeter do. Not only is he the defensive linchpin, leading the blitz defence from the outside centre channel, but he is also their goalkicker and second distributor, leading their attack with his vision and skill set. Slade's experience in a very inexperienced squad will also be vital in the development of talented young backs such as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Josh Hodge and Joe Hawkins.
Dafydd Jenkins returns as captain after a stellar 2023-24 season where he established himself as Exeter's matchday captain aged just 20. As a hard-hitting, high-effort set-piece geek, Jenkins is already a key player in this Chiefs pack and will go from strength to strength in the year ahead. South African (but English qualified) flanker Jacques Vermeulen is another key player whose hard-hitting style and relentless work rate anchor the back row. Now in his sixth season at the Devon-based side, Vermeulen is likely to captain the side with Jenkins and Slade injured at the start of the season. His physical presence and commitment to leading from the front make him indispensable to the team's aspirations.
Impact Signings:
With very few signings this season, the most eye-catching signing they have made is the recruitment of former London Irish prop, Will Goodrick-Clarke. The 124kg prop has already made a big impression with the Chiefs faithful, being seen on social media lifting 70kg dumbbells for 6 reps in each hand on the club's social media account.
The loosehead prop arrives following a successful season at Ealing Trailfinders, and replaces two experienced scrummagers in Alec Hepburn and Nika Abuladze who have left for Scarlets and Montpellier respectively. Competing with Australian international, Scott Sio, Goodrick-Clarke will continue the Chiefs tradition of having two sets of high-quality front row options interchanging throughout the season.
Potential Weakness:
However, there are concerns about the team’s depth and the impact of injuries on their campaign. Both Henry Slade and Dafydd Jenkins, are starting the season on the sidelines due to injuries. This leaves Exeter vulnerable, especially in the early stages of the season, where a slow start could be costly. The lack of experience in some areas of the squad could also be exposed if injuries persist or form drops among key players.
Ones to Watch:
Zack Wimbush is one to watch this season. The promising young centre has shown significant potential with his ability to break the line and his defensive resilience. His development will be crucial for Exeter’s backline as they look to get the ball in the hands of Chiefs' dangerous back three. He will also play an important role in deputising for injured Henry Slade at the start of the season.
Another promising talent already getting the Sandy Park fans off their seats is electric winger, Paul Brown-Bampoe. Arriving from Durham University, Brown-Bampoe scored a hat-trick on his Exeter Chiefs debut in pre-season against the Cornish Pirates. With Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Brown-Bampoe on either wing, Exeter might have just found themselves two of the most dangerous wingers in the entire league.
The RIL Take:
Exeter go into the new season with a much more settled squad and greater ambitions. The big question is whether they will be able to keep up the momentum in a very inexperienced group without their linchpin, Henry Slade, and captain Dafydd Jenkins for the first couple of months of the season? Rob Baxter's experience as a coach will be invaluable as he looks to guide this new-look Exeter side back to the top. If they can weather the early storms and develop their young talent, the Chiefs could surprise many by the end of the season.
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