TJ hails 'special' European win

By Mark Stevens

Tom Johnson admitted it was a "special feeling" to be part of the Exeter Chiefs side that claimed their first-ever victory in the Heineken Cup against the Scarlets last Saturday.

Returning to the Chiefs starting line-up for the trip across the River Severn, England international Johnson played a significant role in ensuring the Devon club secured a 22-16 success against their Welsh hosts at the Parc Y Scarlets.

Haydn Thomas' early touchdown, plus a further 17 points from the boot of Gareth Steenson, ensured the Chiefs were not only able to register their first win in European Rugby's top competition, but at the same time keep in touch with Pool 5 rivals Clermont Auvergne and Leinster, who met 24 hours later at the Stade Marcel Michelin.

In that encounter the French side maintained their unbeaten run in this season's competition, claiming a 15-12 victory thanks to four penalties from Morgan Parra and a drop-goal from fly-half Brock James.

Leinster, the competition's defending champions, countered with four penalties from Irish international Jonny Sexton, but it was sadly not enough as they surrendered their 17-match unbeaten run in the Heineken Cup.

Clermont and Leinster meet again this weekend in Dublin in what is already being billed as the tie of the round, whilst at Sandy Park the Chiefs and the Scarlets again lock horns in battle on Saturday (3.40pm).

With the battle for points in Pool 5 hitting a crucial stage, Johnson knows the Chiefs must follow up their win in the Principality with an equally big performance on home soil.

"We're over the moon with the win," said Johnson afterwards. "The Scarlets are a very good team and this is a tough place to come. At the moment I don't think the win has really sunk in, but it's huge for the club to get that first win and to be part of that is a special feeling."

However, Johnson and his team-mates did not let their celebrations last too long and instead they have been using this week to get themselves fully focused on Saturday's return meeting, one in which the all-action flanker is expecting another stiff examination.

"They [Scarlets] are always a force to be reckoned with and will want to come down to us and right some wrongs," added Johnson. "We're aware it will be another tough game for us and that we will have step up our standards if we are to maintain the record we've built up at home this season."

Tickets for Saturday's game are available online by clicking here or via the Trading Post, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.