For a final time they run out at Sandy Park today, one of English rugby’s great teams preparing to break up.
There is the small matter of a Champions Cup semi-final still to play, against La Rochelle in Bordeaux a week tomorrow. But for more than half the side that took Exeter Chiefs from junior leagues to champions of Europe, this afternoon against Bristol marks the end at home.
“There is a bit of sadness about,” admitted outgoing centre Ian Whitten. "We have played together for a very long time, we’ve had a great camaraderie.
