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13 sa

Exeter Chiefs Struggle in Premiership and Europe

Exeter Chiefs are facing a challenging season in the Gallagher Premiership, having secured only one victory in their last ten matches. Their struggles extend to the European Champions Cup, where they have lost all three of their games, conceding a staggering total of 172 points, the highest in the competition. A recent heavy defeat against Bordeaux-Begles, where they lost 69-17 at Sandy Park, has further compounded their woes.

Despite these difficulties, the Chiefs are making strides off the field. Financial constraints due to the COVID pandemic have impacted their performance, but they have managed to reduce their pre-tax losses by £4.1 million in the last financial year. This improvement has allowed them to be more active in the transfer market, with new signings on the horizon, including Tom Hooper from the Brumbies, aimed at strengthening their squad.

The broader context of the Premiership season reveals ongoing defensive issues among English teams. Harlequins, another Premiership side, recently faced a setback, losing 33-21 to Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup. This match highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities prevalent in the league, as Harlequins struggled to maintain their defensive line against Toulon's attacks.

Amidst these challenges, Jack Kenningham of Harlequins stood out with an impressive performance against Toulon, making 17 tackles without a miss. His strong showing has sparked discussions about a potential Test debut for England, particularly as injuries have affected other players like Sam Underhill.

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