Having lost many of their established international stars in the summer of 2023, a new-look youthful Exeter side finished seventh last season with 10 wins from 16 games.

But this season things have not gone to plan, with defeat in the Premiership Rugby Cup final last week extinguishing any hopes of ending the campaign with some silverware.

Hunter says the financial repercussions that stem from the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago are still being felt.

He says Hepher, director of rugby Rob Baxter and chief executive Tony Rowe should be praised for their work in keeping the club solvent while the likes of Wasps, London Irish and Worcester Warriors all ceased trading.

"The reality is that Ali and Rob and Tony have led the club through a period of absolute hardship," Hunter said.

"We've had to make some real choices just to make sure that the club was here in a couple of years time and they've done that.

"I get the benefit of picking up the baton after that, but the reality is they've done all the hard work and pain over the last couple of years because we're sitting here, we've got a club, we're driving our investment up we're recruiting well, we're pushing back towards the cap, everything is on an upward curve for us."