Exeter Chiefs 2022-23 season preview - prediction, signings, ones to watch
Will the Chiefs bounce back or will it be another season of disappointment?
The 2019-20 Gallagher Premiership champions will be looking to return to the top-four once again as they start their first full campaign in the newly renovated Sandy Park.
This will be Rob Baxter’s 14th year in charge of Exeter as he looks to continue his legacy and bring more history to the team from Devon.
It has been a summer of change for the club as well as they have lost regulars such as Don Armand, Jonny Hill, Tom O’Flaherty and Will Witty.
The squad will be hungry to put last season behind them as they try and get back to what they have become famous for over the last few campaigns in the Premiership; being a tough team to beat.
Last time out
Exeter dropped out of the top four last season for the first time since 2014/15 as they fell to seventh place.
The two-time champions suffered some shock defeats such as home losses to London Irish, Newcastle Falcons and Wasps as they struggled to build form at Sandy Park.
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They will also be hoping they don’t carry a hangover into the new campaign as they lost three of their last six fixtures last term.
They also fell out of Europe in the Round of 16 phase which was disappointing as well as they were champions only two seasons prior.
Many players that were key to the Chiefs’ recent successes didn’t perform to the levels they are capable of last season so they will be keen to put that right this time round.
Incomings
Jack Dunne (Second Row) from Leinster
Rory O’Loughlin (Winger) from Leinster
Aidon Davis (Back Row) from State Cheetahs
Iestyn Harris (Hooker) from Cardiff Rugby
Ruben van Heerden (Second Row) from Sharks
Solomone Kata (Centre) from Moana Pasifika
Scott Sio (Loosehead Prop) from Brumbies
Jacob Morris (Prop) from the University of Exeter
Fin Richardson (Prop) from the University of Exeter
Outgoings
Sam Skinner (Second Row) to Edinburgh Rugby
Jonny Hill (Second Row) to Sale Sharks
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Scrum-half) to Benetton
Sean Lonsdale (Second Row) to Dragons
Tom O’Flaherty (Winger) to Sale Sharks
Sam Nixon (Tighthead Prop) to Grenoble
Jack Walsh (Fly-half) to Ospreys
Aaron Hinkley (Back Row) to Northampton Saints
Alfie Petch (Tighthead Prop) to Northampton Saints
Jordon Poole (Hooker) to Coventry
Will Witty (Second Row) to Perpignan
Shea Cornish (Winger) to Coventry on a season-long loan
Danny Southworth (Prop) to Coventry on a season-long loan
Don Armand (Back Row) retired
Areas of strength
There seems to be a trend in the Premiership that most clubs have a fearsome back-row and the Chiefs are no exception to that.
Baxter will have huge dilemmas when choosing his six, seven and eight this season as he can pick from Jannes Kristen, Jacques Vermeulen, Dave Ewers, Sam Simmonds and Richard Capstick.
This strength in depth will help Exeter massively going into second-halves of matches as they can bring on the likes of Kristen to see out a game or bring another level to the Chiefs.
To add to their power up front, the Devonshire outfit also have electric pace within their back three options which include Facundo Cordero, Jack Nowell, Olly Woodburn, Josh Hodge and Scotland captain, Stuart Hogg.
If the likes of Harvey Skinner and Joe Simmonds can unleash their back three into space, then many clubs will struggle to handle their speed and fluidity.
Also in Hodge and Hogg, they are two of the best counter-attacking full-backs in open field. If there is a gap in a defensive line, they will find it.
Areas of weakness
The Chiefs have been decimated in the second-row this off-season and they have also lost no fewer than four regulars who occupied the lock positions over the last few years.
Hill, Witty, Sam Skinner and Sean Lonsdale have all left for pastures new with Jack Dunne and Ruben Van Heerden brought into to replace them.
This is an area of the Chiefs squad that will worry their home faithful as neither new signing played a huge amount of rugby last term with Dunne only starting two games for Leinster.
Jonny Gray will be a pivotal player this season as he will be the experienced operator in the engine room for the Chiefs and he will need to stay injury free if his side are to push for a top-four finish once again.
Opening fixtures
Round 1: Leicester Tigers (H)
Round 2: Worcester Warriors (A)
Round 3: Harlequins (H)
Round 4: Sale Sharks (A)
Round 5: Bristol Bears (A)
Exeter Chiefs arguably have one of the hardest starts to the season in the Premiership.
They begin at home against the reigning champions Leicester Tigers before an away fixture to Worcester Warriors.
They then host 2021 champions Harlequins before two difficult visits to Sale Sharks and Bristol Bears respectively.
If the Chiefs can come out of this opening period in a mid-table position, they will be quite pleased considering the difficulty of the fixture list that faces them.
Predicted line-up
1. Scott Sio
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Harry Williams
4. Jonny Gray
5. Jannes Kristen
6. Dave Ewers
7. Jacques Vermeulen
8. Sam Simmonds
9. Jack Maunder
10. Joe Simmonds
11. Olly Woodburn
12. Ollie Devoto
13. Henry Slade
14. Jack Nowell
15. Stuart Hogg
Predicted finish: 5th
I think that the Chiefs will just miss out on the top-four for the second season running.
Exeter have a world-class starting 15 and will challenge on all fronts but I believe when injuries come, their strength in depth might be found out.
When I look at the Chiefs squad compared to the four sides I have above them, I just think they won't have quite enough.
Baxter, though, will be rallying his troops for a quick return to the top-four so don’t be surprised if they bring back their title-winning form this campaign.
