For Rob Baxter and his Exeter Chiefs, the road ahead is unfamiliar and daunting. Once the kings of English rugby, with six consecutive Premiership final appearances and a European crown in 2020, Exeter now finds itself in a battle they have rarely faced before—a struggle for survival near the bottom of the table. On Friday night, the Chiefs will travel to Kingston Park to face Newcastle Falcons, a team rooted at the foot of the league and desperately hunting their first win of the season. For both teams, the stakes couldn't be higher.
A Game of Desperation
"This is going to be a humdinger of a game, without doubt," Baxter told BBC Sport, summing up the high-stakes nature of the upcoming clash. His tone reflects the gravity of the situation. Exeter, having endured a record-worst start to the season, are winless after several weeks of play. The stark reality is that the Chiefs, accustomed to battling for trophies, now find themselves locked in a must-win game to avoid sinking to the very bottom of the Premiership table.
On the other side, Newcastle Falcons are mired in a 25-game losing streak, their last victory coming in March 2023. Their place in the Premiership was secured only because neither the Jersey Reds nor Ealing Trailfinders—champions of the Championship—had facilities deemed fit for top-flight rugby. Without that technicality, the Falcons would already be relegated. For Newcastle, this game is more than just about breaking the streak; it’s about proving they belong at this level.
"They're going to be hunting for their first win," Baxter continued. "I can't believe they don't look at the table and go, 'this is our best opportunity.'" Newcastle, with everything to lose, will undoubtedly throw everything they have at Exeter. But for Baxter's Chiefs, the challenge is just as fierce. "We haven't been in this position before," the director of rugby said with palpable anxiety. "We don't want to be sat at the bottom of the table after the weekend."
The Weight of Expectations
For years, Exeter Chiefs were a force to be reckoned with in English rugby. Their rise from the Championship to Premiership champions, and later European glory, is the stuff of legend. Yet, the dismantling of that successful side has left the team in a vulnerable position, as they’ve languished in seventh place for the past three seasons. “It’s going to be who deals with those situations the best—that’s going to be the most important part,” Baxter pointed out, recognizing that this is a psychological as well as physical battle.
In stark contrast, Newcastle are all too familiar with being underdogs. For director of rugby Steve Diamond, the narrative surrounding the Falcons has been one of survival rather than success. "The media have asked what is the point in us being in the league," Diamond said, addressing critics who question whether Newcastle still has a place in the Premiership. His response is one of defiance: "We've been a Premiership team for 30-odd years. When we have dropped into the Championship, we've bounced straight back."
For Diamond, Newcastle’s story is one of resilience, even in the face of daunting odds. “We’re all aware there is a promotion and relegation situation, and if we’re in that, we’ll go through that with as much gusto as we’ve got,” he said. The Falcons are well-versed in clawing their way out of tight corners, and the question now is whether they can muster enough strength and fire to halt their disastrous run of form.
A Battle of Mindsets
Both Exeter and Newcastle are struggling, but they are doing so from very different perspectives. For the Chiefs, the fall from grace has been swift and brutal. Once a powerhouse, the team is now in uncharted territory, grappling with the emotional toll of not living up to their own high standards. The pressure to deliver a victory on Friday isn’t just about points; it’s about restoring belief within the team and the fans.
For Newcastle, the challenge is to prove that they still belong in the Premiership. With no victories since March, their confidence is undoubtedly fragile, but Diamond's defiance speaks to a determination that cannot be ignored. The Falcons are playing for pride, for the history of their club, and for the opportunity to stay afloat in one of the toughest leagues in the world.
Friday Night Showdown: Who Will Rise?
As Friday night approaches, the tension is building for both sides. Kingston Park will play host to a battle of wills—a clash where neither team can afford to falter. For Newcastle, a win would break a streak of nearly seven months without tasting victory. For Exeter, it’s about avoiding the ignominy of hitting rock bottom for the first time in their Premiership journey.
Baxter’s Chiefs will look to reignite their form and use this game as a springboard to salvage their season. Meanwhile, Diamond’s Falcons are ready to throw everything they have at the game, desperate to snap their losing streak and prove that they still belong in the top flight of English rugby. Both teams are fighting for survival, and in matches like these, it’s often the side that wants it the most that comes out on top.
This game isn’t just about points on the board. It’s about identity. For Exeter, a team that once dominated, this is a test of character, a chance to prove that they can climb back to the heights they once ruled. For Newcastle, it’s a battle to remain relevant, to show that they still have the grit to fight for their place. Whoever handles the pressure and controls their emotions will likely come out victorious. Friday night promises to be an emotionally charged, high-stakes affair that could have significant ramifications for both teams moving forward
