Defending champs Leicester open campaign against Exeter

Defending champs Leicester Tigers commence the defence of their title against competition heavyweights Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday afternoon. 

The sides met in Round 1 of last season – at Welford Road, with the hosts throwing down a marker for the rest of the competition with a convincing 34-19 victory. 

In the return fixture at Sandy Park, Leicester triumphed once again, though with a much more competitive score-line: 

Leicester enjoyed a fantastic season in 2021-22, stringing together 18 consecutive victories and eventually hoisting the trophy. There is no doubt that they will be another formidable force this time around. 

Exeter stuttered quite uncharacteristically last season, racking up 13 victories from their 24 fixtures and will be looking for a much-improved campaign. 

Exeter Director of Rugby Rob Baxter is to have a less hands-on approach with regard to match days from now on, leaving that responsibility to Ali Hepher. 

"On match days, Rob necessarily won’t be with the team so I’ll be leading that side of things,” Hepher said. 

"On away games, he will be travelling separately to the team. He will still be at all the games, he will be very much involved with everything we do, but he won’t be travelling with the team so pre-match, matchday post-match I will be dealing with it… I think he will still do the media side of stuff through the week but on match-days, it will be down to myself and the other coaches. Yeah, a bit of a change in the role but something exciting to get on with. 

"We still sit across the desk and we are talking through everything. He is very aware of everything that is going on all the time. It’s a very simple relationship in the sense that we both work incredibly hard, we are both comfortable sharing our opinions and we will work through the best way to solve problems and get to the solution that we want. That very much hasn’t changed. 

"Rob Hunter is in that mix as well and Omar coming in has been brilliant and added some coaching quality there. As a coaching group, we have got Ricki (Pellow), Gareth (Steenson), Haydn Thomas and Gareth Elliott all chipping in. We are a strong coaching group and we all have our opinions and we all very much listen to everyone. The main decisions still land with Rob but on match day, the main decisions within the game will probably land at my door." 

Turning attention to preparation for the season and the current state of the squad, Hepher continued. 

“We've worked the guys hard," he added. "Equally, they have worked hard and responded with a real level of effort. As coaches, we didn't have to drive that, they were ready to go deep and dark, and they certainly got that. At the same time, they spent some great time together, on and off the field, and that's probably been missing these last couple of years. 

"As I said, pre-season has been great for us. Yes, we've changed a few things, but we've had time to work on that and with Omar coming in with responded need system, other changes in defence and attack, it's really added a freshness to things." 

Hepher also heaped praise onto the leadership group in the squad during what has been a slightly more challenging time for the club. 

"They've pushed the rebrand as a theme amongst themselves," said Hepher. "For us, it was a good opportunity to reconnect with the past, as well as show the qualities we want to show as a club. It's been pleasing how the guys have not only taken it on board, but also taken it forward." 

With regard to their opposition this weekend, Hepher said: 

"When the fixtures come out, you're always excited for that first game. For us, it's a great start, especially coming up against the champions. Steve [Borthwick] has done a great job over the last couple of years, turning them round and into a quality side. We know they'll be a top-quality side, who are hard-working, physical and who will be good around the set-piece. 

"They are all areas you associate with Leicester, so we know we will have to be top drawer at the weekend. Equally, it's an opportunity for us to show what we are about. As always there will be five points up for grabs and it will be up to us to go hunting for them."