EXETER CHIEFS made a trip to North Devon last week as part of their pre-season training schedule.

About 40 members of the Aviva Premiership rugby club's elite squad, along with coaches and training staff, visited the Rock and Rapid Adventure Centre in South Molton on Friday to have a go at some climbing and obstacle courses.

Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: "This is our first week of pre-season training and coming here gives the guys a chance to get together and integrate some of our new players.

"It's a bit of fun but with a good physical element thrown in.

"It's important for us to get out in the community around Devon because we are very much seen as a Devon team."

New back-row signing Ben White, who has moved to the club from Magners League side Cardiff Blues, was among the first to scale the climbing wall.

He said: "This is a great team-building exercise for us because there's a lot of trust involved – you don't want your rope man letting go at a vital point.

"It's also great to get out of the training ground and visit other parts of Devon – it's lovely around here."

Chiefs captain Tommy Hayes was not able to tackle the "intimidating" climbing wall because of an injury but said coming to the centre was a "good craic" for the boys.

Neil Empringham, of Rock and Rapid, said: "It's great to have the Chiefs here, they've been a lot of fun."