Baxter named in Hall of Fame

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says he is “honoured” to have today been inducted into Premiership Rugby’s Hall of Fame.

Baxter is one of six new inductees, alongside the late Tom Walkinshaw, Martin Johnson, Ed Morrison, Lewis Moody and George Chuter, who will attend a prestigious ceremony at the HAC in London on January 22.

Baxter, Johnson, Morrison, Chuter and Moody will be present, while Walkinshaw - who passed away in 2010 - will be represented by his son Ryan, currently the majority shareholder at Gloucester Rugby.

The Dinner - which has both British Airways and Heathrow Express as partners - will raise money for both Sport Relief and The Supporters Club.

"The six men represent a who's who of professional club rugby in England and we are delighted to welcome them into our Hall of Fame,” said Phil Winstanley the Rugby Director at Premiership Rugby.

"In the list we have two Rugby World Cup winners, one of Aviva Premiership Rugby's leading coaches, a man who refereed a Rugby World Cup Final, a player who played more than 200 Premiership matches and a club owner who left an indelible mark on the game here in England. A formidable line-up.

"The Hall of Fame Dinner has become a significant date in the rugby calendar as it gives us a chance to look back on 18 years of professional rugby in England.”

Remarking on his inclusion, Baxter added: “I feel very honoured that Premiership Rugby has chosen me to be included in their Hall of Fame. Just looking at those who have been named alongside me – and also those that have been included previously – I know I am in very good company.

“As I said, to be named alongside some of the biggest names who have done so much for our sport is truly a great honour. That said, I am only as good as those who are around me and what the Chiefs have done in the Premiership is not only down to me, but all the coaches, players and staff at the club.”

The event is supporting Sport Relief and The Supporters Club. The Supporters Club is an exciting new initiative which brings together BT, its BT Sport Partners and Comic Relief, using the power of sport to help disadvantaged young people, both here in the UK and around the world.

As one of the UK's biggest fundraising events, Sport Relief brings the entire nation together to get active, raise cash and change lives. All the money raised by the public helps people living incredibly tough lives, both at home in the UK and across the world's poorest countries.