The Exeter Chiefs rugby team finds themselves at a pivotal moment this season, struggling to cope with injuries and recent losses, as they prepare to enter another challenging match against Bordeaux-Bègles. Following their latest defeat at the hands of the Leicester Tigers, which ended 28-15, and prior to their Champions Cup encounter with Bordeaux, the mood around the team has been tense, with mounting concerns over their performance.
Exeter's head coach, Rob Baxter, expressed cautious optimism but acknowledged the difficulties they face. "We need to be tough now; we can’t panic because we have to grow as a side on and off the field," he said. Unfortunately, Exeter’s squad has been decimated by injuries. Key players Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Olly Woodburn, Ehren Painter, and Josh Hodge are all sidelined, leaving the Chiefs scrambling for viable replacements as their injury list continues to grow. The absence of these players is particularly felt; Feyi-Waboso had been shining bright on the pitch this season before suffering a dislocated shoulder, an injury Baxter described as particularly troubling. He was already managing the pressure from injuries to Henry Slade and Dafydd Jenkins, who also missed early season matches due to surgeries.
The timeline for the injured players paints a grim picture for Exeter, with Feyi-Waboso expected to be out for 10 to 12 weeks; Woodburn's knee injury timeline remains uncertain, and Painter's ACL injury has put him on the same treatment path. Meanwhile, Hodge is dealing with a broken hand, but his recovery is seen more as short-term.
Despite their struggles, some players have begun to step up. Tommy Wyatt, who has recently recovered from his own ACL injury, filled the void left by Feyi-Waboso and impressed during the match against Leicester, contributing 10 points to the score. Baxter has seen his squad's average age hover around 25 years, making it the fourth youngest team within the Premiership, which only adds to the challenges they face. "We have had some dark weeks at the club. No one wants to lose," Wyatt remarked. "But we need to remind ourselves of our strengths as we face these tough opponents."
Rob Baxter's statements reflect the resilience and determination of his squad, but the statistics tell another story. Exeter have now suffered 12 defeats out of their last 13 matches, with their performance against Bordeaux showcasing significant weaknesses. "We've just been well beaten," Baxter stated after the match, emphasizing the need for improvement. Their last match at home against Bordeaux ended disastrously with Exeter conceding the most points ever recorded against them at Sandy Park, losing 69-17.
Maxime Lucu, who shone for Bordeaux-Bègles, led his team dynamically, making significant contributions and exemplifying the kind of talent Exeter has been lacking as they struggle to halt their downward spiral. Despite their advanced position within the Top 14 and their current Champions Cup standing, Bordeaux capitalized on every opportunity, full of momentum, easily proving to be too much for the vastly inexperienced Exeter side.
Bordeaux-Bègles manager, traveling top of their league and currently undefeated, emphasized the pressures during the match. With their game plan centered around quick ball movement and skillful execution at set pieces, it was evident from the outset how disparity might pose problems for the Chiefs. After ending the first half with the score heavily tilted against them, 31-5, the Chiefs managed to muster some offense but were met with firm resistance.
The atmosphere within the Exeter camp couldn’t be more different from the joint celebrations of Bordeaux. While their opponents celebrated high-scoring victories, Exeter was left contemplating their errors and fractured unity throughout the season. Baxter acknowledged their shortcomings with stark honesty, and many fans left Sandy Park shaken after witnessing yet another heavy defeat.
Looking forward, Exeter’s next task lies away against Ulster, where they face the challenge of performing without our key players. With hopes of claiming points limited due to prior defeats, each match now takes on increasing importance as they seek out any potential for redemption.
While the road to recovery may be lengthy for the Chiefs, there is still some hope. Baxter’s leadership, combined with the revival of players like Wyatt, provides slight promise for salvation. It remains to be seen whether Exeter can regroup and refine their approach, finding ways to transform adversity toward fruitful competition against elite rivals like Bordeaux. Their performances not only affect this season’s outcome but also sow the seeds for what the future will hold for this club.
Whether they can rise out from the current darkness remains uncertain, but the spirit within Exeter’s ranks is one of determination amid disappointment, and one hopes their fighting spirit will soon bear fruit.