Exeter success gets Royal seal of approval

By Mark Stevens
24/11/20

The double-winning success last season of the Exeter Chiefs has received a royal seal of approval following a congratulatory letter sent to the club.

Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal, wrote personally to Chairman and Chief Executive, Tony Rowe OBE, to praise the club on being crowned Gallagher Premiership and Heineken Champions Cup winners.

The Princess Royal, who officially opened Sandy Park Stadium back in June 2007, is no stranger to rugby followers, particularly in her role as Patron of the Scottish Rugby Union.

In her letter to the club, it reads:

“It seems like only a year or two ago, Exeter Rugby Club very kindly asked me to open the new Sandy Park Stadium. I was delighted to do so and was very impressed with everything I saw, but that was 26th June 2007!

“Sandy Park Stadium has certainly changed in order to cope with the Chiefs’ growing success, Premiership Rugby in 2010, English Premiership title and now the DOUBLE!

“I would just like to offer my congratulations to all involved in the success of what is a true club effort. The impact on Exeter as a city and the South West is obvious, but it also an example of what a Rugby Club can do for its fans, the local community and, more broadly, fans of rugby everywhere, including Scotland!

“Well done and thank you for all you do for the game of Rugby Union.”

Mr Rowe expressed his delight at receiving the letter, adding: “As a club we were honoured to have received this letter from Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal. As she rightly pointed out, she officially opened Sandy Park back in 2007.

“I know she has a great interest in rugby union, particularly Scottish Rugby, and with a number of their internationals now plying their trade with the Chiefs, I am sure she will have an even greater interest in our fortunes.”

The Chiefs secured their historic double last season by defeating French outfit Racing 92 in the final of the Champions Cup, before following it up a week later by lifting the Gallagher Premiership trophy with victory over Wasps at Twickenham.