Chudley up for the fight

 

 

Exeter Chiefs' strong start to the season is coming at a price - it makes scrum-half Will Chudley's job of breaking into the team that much harder.

The Devon side has suffered just two Aviva Premiership defeats this season - to last year's finalists Northampton Saints and Leicester Tigers - and sit fourth in the table after round seven.

But for 25-year-old Chudley, it has been something of a watching brief with Haydn Thomas and Dave Lewis, a summer signing from Gloucester Rugby, battling it out for No.9 shirt.

The third choice scrum-half, who moved to the club from Newcastle Falcons at the start of last season, can at least take heart from the club's strong reputation for handing chances to youngsters.

Fly-half Henry Slade is just one of a number to get his chance off the bench this season after a strong showing in the LV= Cup last season, and Chudley intends to do the same.

"I've not had a chance to play in the Premiership yet this season," said Chudley. "The side is doing very well at the minute so the coaches don't want to go changing the team around which is understandable.

"But it can be tough, everyone wants to play a game. You never like to be on the bench or not involved all together at all at the weekend, just sitting and watching the boys. The team is doing great, but you also want to have a hand in influencing that too.

"This year there is a lot of competition for each place so the LV does give you a great chance to show what you can do. At Chiefs everyone works hard and you know if you do well you will get your chances.

"Last year quite a few of the lads who did well playing in the LV went on to get games in the Premiership, that's got to be my aim. The likes of Henry Slade, and Jack Nowell they are all big players and are now starting on the bench in the Premiership. It shows we have good competition here.

"Before I came here I could see from the outside they are on a journey and I wanted to be a part of it. I absolutely love it here at Chiefs. We have a lot of fun but we work hard for each other. The whole club is on a journey, we are just taking each day as it comes."

Chudley, who has got most of his rugby in the Aviva A League so far this season, got a rare chance to strut his stuff in an Exeter jersey when he started last weekend's opening round win over reigning champions Harlequins.

And with the Chiefs heading to Bath this Saturday, Chudley knows he needs to take his opportunities when it can.

"It was really nice to play last week, I had not had that much game time, especially in front of the home crowd so that was good," he added. "I have played in the A League this season, it was disappointing that we didn't get through. We had our chances but didn't quite take them.

"It was a great game, it gives you time in the saddle. Playing week in week out gives you a just to build up a bit of consistency and game management. It's just really good fun playing. With the A league having finished it's the last chance for a while for some of the boys to get picked for the Premiership."