11: Episode 11: Exeter

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, we follow one of the most dominant sides of the early 2000s: Wasps. It’s the 2003-2004 season – when the dream duo of Warren Gatland and Lawrence Dallaglio took Wasps to the summit of English and European rugby.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, it’s 1997 – and the dawning of the professional era. Newcastle Falcons were one of the first teams to really seize the opportunities – transforming from a side scrapping in the second tier – to one who would shock the established elite and win the inaugural Premiership title.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, it’s the turn of the Chiefs.We chart the rise of Exeter through the ranks, until in the 2019-20 season, they reached the pinnacle of European rugby: Winning the Devon Double.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, it’s the year that Harlequins finally won English rugby’s top prize.We head to 2012 - and follow the season when Conor O’Shea led the aristocrats of the Premiership to league glory.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, we’re in Bear country. We chart the season when Bristol truly announced themselves - winning their first European trophy – the Challenge Cup – against a backdrop of a global pandemic.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, it’s the season that Sale managed to break a seven-year Tigers/Wasps stranglehold. In 2006, the side from Greater Manchester beat them both on their way to becoming the first team to top the Premiership table - and then win the end of season play-off final.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, we’re with Gloucester Rugby. So often the nearly men of the English game, we head to 2005-2006, when Gloucester were finally able to convert their huge potential into a first European title: the Challenge Cup.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, we hear how Northampton ended their 120-year wait for a major trophy. At the turn of the millennium, the Saints won European rugby’s biggest prize: The Heineken Cup.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, it’s Saracens, one of the most successful and controversial teams of the past decade.Back in 2016 – before the controversy – there was a team filled with home-grown stars, who won a league and European Cup double.

On the next Rugby Stories podcast, we’re with the most dominant side of the amateur years, Bath.Although Bath found the transition to the professional era tougher than most – in 1997-98, they still had one glorious season - becoming the first British side to lift the Heineken Cup.