Exeter triumph shows nice guys can finish first

Britain Rugby Union - Wasps v Exeter Chiefs - Aviva Premiership Final - Twickenham Stadium, London, England - 27/5/17 Exeter's Gareth Steenson celebrates with the trophy after victory Action Images via Reuters / Henry Browne Livepic

LONDON (Reuters) - So it seems nice guys – and nice clubs – can finish first as Exeter Chiefs, almost incredibly, find themselves as English rugby's Premiership champions after a gutsy extra-time victory over Wasps that was the epitome of their approach to the game.

Seven years ago when they were promoted to the top flight for the first time, most observers thought the homely west country club would soon disappear and remain an interesting footnote to a league where many people were still arguing against the concept of promotion and relegation.