Exeter’s tumultuous season took another significant blow following their crushing 79-17 defeat to Gloucester. The loss, which saw Exeter concede 13 tries, marked a new low for a side that had already been struggling in the Premiership. The defeat, which came just days after the appointment of Rob Hunter as head coach, prompted swift action from the club’s chairman, Tony Rowe. Hunter and Ali Hepher, who was in charge of the attack, were both suspended immediately after the match.
This decision reflects the growing frustration at Exeter’s disastrous campaign, which has seen them win only three of their 15 league matches this season. The team is languishing in ninth place, just above bottom-placed Newcastle, with a series of disappointing performances marking their year. Following the record-breaking loss to Gloucester, Rowe met with the squad to express his discontent and emphasize the need for change. As a result, Rob Baxter, the long-standing director of rugby, has taken on a more prominent coaching role for the remainder of the season.
Hunter, who had only recently taken over as head coach, admitted that the defeat was the most difficult day of his coaching career. Hepher, responsible for the attack, also faced significant criticism following the heavy loss. The team has faced several challenges throughout the season, including key player departures and long-term injuries, but the constant high-margin defeats have highlighted deeper issues within the club.
In addition to the high-profile exits of players like Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie, and Sam Simmonds, Exeter has also been hit by injuries, particularly the long-term absence of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who has been sidelined since December. Despite these challenges, the team’s defensive frailties have been apparent, with Exeter conceding over 50 points in five matches, including heavy home defeats to Bordeaux and Toulouse. These issues have compounded the team’s struggles and put increasing pressure on the coaching staff.
In the aftermath of the Gloucester defeat, Hunter acknowledged the severity of the performance, saying it was unacceptable for a team of Exeter’s stature to perform in such a manner. He recognized that the team had buckled under the intense pressure exerted by Gloucester, failing to respond to the challenges they faced on the field. Hunter’s comments underscored the growing sense of disappointment within the squad, as the players came to terms with their failure to meet expectations.
Hepher and Hunter’s positions now hang in the balance as the club conducts a review into the defeat and the overall state of the season. Rowe has stated that no final decisions regarding the coaching structure will be made until internal procedures are completed, leaving the future of the coaching duo uncertain. It remains to be seen whether they will be reinstated or whether the club will look to make permanent changes ahead of next season.
Exeter’s fall from grace is all the more striking given their recent success, having won both the Premiership and the Champions Cup just a few years ago. The team’s rapid decline has been exacerbated by the loss of key players and a series of underwhelming performances, leaving them in a position they could not have imagined during their golden period. The coming weeks will likely determine the future of the club, as they look to rebuild and regain their place among the Premiership’s top teams.
