Chiefs take on Old Rivals Saracens in First Premiership Fixture

Exeter Chiefs prepare to face the reigning Premiership champions Saracens, in their opening fixture of the 2023-24 league season on Saturday 14th October (13:30 KO).

The rivalry has grown over the past decade, with the London club battling the Chiefs in several finals, and there is no doubt that this latest instalment is sure to throw up another all-action, ferocious encounter between two of the leagues more combative sides.

Following the Chiefs defeat to Bath in their final pool match of the Premiership Cup, Rob Baxter will be re-grouping with his young squad as they look to take their intensity to the next level in what is sure to be their sternest test of the season so far.

There have been real positives for Exeter so far this season, with a number of fresh faces enjoying a run in the starting XV, filling the places left by departing Chiefs stalwarts in the summer.

The back-line is now littered with young talent. Tom Cairns has made an impressive start to the campaign at scrum-half, bringing real tempo to the Chiefs attack, whilst in the back-field the lethal pace of Josh Hodge and the balanced running of Tommy Wyatt will no doubt cause problems for plenty of defences this season.

However, forwards win matches, and the work done by new coach Ross McMillan during the off-season is clearly paying dividends. Despite the defeat at Bath, the set-piece was rock solid, with both scrum and line-out affording the Chiefs front-foot ball and a platform from which to launch attacks.

The challenge for Exeter has been set, and this season was always going to be about evolving and re-building following the turn-around of talent in the summer. However, for Baxter and his coaches there is real energy and enthusiasm as they look to re-create the environment of learning and development they enjoyed during their early years in the Premiership.

Many of the new look Chiefs squad won’t be carrying the legacy of previous encounters into this fixture, and with lots of free-flowing attacking rugby on display so far this campaign, there is plenty for Chiefs fans to get excited about.

With Saracens missing a number of their international stars away at the Rugby World Cup this is an excellent opportunity for a young Chiefs squad to lay down a marker as the Gallagher Premiership Season kicks off in style.

It is set to be a bumper crowd at Sandy Park, with fans preparing to enjoy an extravaganza of rugby. The main event will be followed by a screening of the World Cup Quarter-Final between Wales and Argentina, with Chiefs stars Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza preparing for the biggest match of their young careers.

Tickets start from £15 for U16s and £30 for adults and are available HERE