Exeter Chiefs suspend coaches Ali Hepher and Rob Hunter

In a decisive response to a historic defeat, Exeter Chiefs have suspended senior coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher after the team's crushing 79-17 loss to Gloucester.

This match, which saw Gloucester score 13 tries, marks one of the most significant defeats in Premiership Rugby history.

The club's chairman and CEO, Tony Rowe, acted swiftly after the loss, placing both Hunter and Hepher on gardening leave pending a comprehensive review of the team's performance.

Director of Rugby Rob Baxter will assume direct coaching responsibilities for the remaining three games of the season. Hepher, who has been with the club for 16 years, and Hunter, since 2013, had recently swapped roles in anticipation of future transitions within the coaching staff.

The defeat to Gloucester is Exeter's twelfth loss in 15 Premiership matches this season, leaving them in ninth place. The team's defensive frailties have been evident, conceding over 50 points in five matches this season.

This downturn is stark for a club that clinched both the Premiership and Champions Cup titles less than five years ago.

Rowe's dissatisfaction was palpable as he addressed the team post-match, emphasizing the club's high standards and expectations.

"Tony is entirely entitled to come in there and fire into everybody. He puts a lot of time and effort into the club and his expectations and those of everyone else should be way, way higher than that," Hunter acknowledged.

He further admitted, "From my own point of view, it ... ."

The club has stated that no final decisions regarding the coaching structure will be made until the internal review is complete. However, the future of both Hepher and Hunter with the Chiefs remains uncertain.