Exeter Stars Get Set For Club Return After Dramatic Six Nations
The Exeter Chiefs will return to action in the Gallagher Premiership this weekend as the domestic league season resumes following a break for the Six Nations.
A number of Chiefs players were part of the 2024 competition as Ireland emerged victorious for the second successive year, albeit without achieving a fifth Grand Slam after England grabbed victory in the Round 4 fixtures with a last-gasp drop goal.
Whilst there were no Chiefs players in either the Irish or French squads for the tournament, players representing England, Scotland, Wales and Italy all made appearances – a number of whom would go on to secure their first international caps.
Youngster Immanuel Feyi-Waboso earned his first international call-up as one of seven uncapped players, which also included team-mate Ethan Roots – who had been called into a squad previously but without making an appearance.
As England finished the competition in third spot, Feyi-Waboso – who has now agreed a new long-term deal with the Chiefs – emerged as one of the stars, coming off the bench to make his debut against Italy before another outing from the bench against Scotland saw him score his first international try moments after coming on.
The 21-year-old, who was playing for Taunton just twelve months ago, then played a key role in the victory against Ireland before concussion ruled him out of the final game with France.
Eligible to appear for England through his father, Roots also made his debut against Italy, putting in a man of the match performance in the victory in Rome and starting three of the five games as he showed himself to be more than capable of getting the job done at international level.
Having missed the World Cup, Henry Slade returned to the England side for the Six Nations and would be a mainstay of the side, starting every game and playing almost 350 minutes – playing his part in two tries during the competition.
Although born in South Africa and with a distinctly un-Italian name, Ross Vintcent qualifies for Italy through his grandfather and would make his international bow during the competition.
Coming off the bench in the defeat to Ireland for his maiden appearance, Vintcent then started the dramatic draw with France before being selected to start once again against Scotland.
Despite being twelve points behind at one stage, the Azzurri fought back, with Vintcent playing his part as the Italian’s won at home in the Six Nations for the first time since 2013 – ending a run of 26 defeats on the bounce.
Despite previously being capped by England back in 2018, Alec Hepburn was a surprise name in the Scotland squad for the competition – a call-up made possible through his father.
A second international debut came against Wales in the opening fixture, coming on to replace Pierre Schoeman as Scotland secured victory by just a single point, and he would come off the bench in three further games as the Scots ended up in fourth place.
For Dafydd Jenkins however, the Six Nations would prove to be a tournant of extremely mixed emotions.
On the one hand, the 21-year-old was given the honour of leading an inexperienced side – making him the second youngest Welsh captain after Gareth Edwards, but on the other, it would be a challenge on the pitch as Wales ended up with the wooden spoon for the first time since 2003.
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