Chiefs side to face Ospreys

By Mark Stevens

Skills coach Ricky Pellow wants Exeter Chiefs to use last week's Heineken Cup win at Cardiff Blues as the springboard for another big performance against Welsh opposition again tomorrow.

A week after claiming an impressive 19-13 success at the Arms Park, the Chiefs switch their attentions from European battle to that of the LV= Cup and the impending visit of the Ospreys to Sandy Park (3pm).

For a third successive season the Anglo-Welsh tournament has pitted the Chiefs against the Ospreys on Devon soil - and the home side will be hoping that past experiences continue as they have twice defeated the Welsh region.

Although victorious on both previous occasions, Pellow is refusing to underestimate the threat posed to his side and has warned the Chiefs to be ready for a testing examination.

"Obviously we've had two good battles against them in the last two years and we know they will come here and look to attack us," said Pellow. "We've talked all week about what gave us the result away to Cardiff last weekend and we're keen to focus on those key points and get after the game.

"Over the last two years they have predominantly picked a youthful side when they've come here, but we've had some real good battles with them and we're expecting the same this weekend. We've analysised them this week and we've looked at their main structures and patterns. What's obvious is that they will look to keep the ball alive; they like to play with width; and they'll come with real line speed.

"Based on that we've told our guys that if they are not fully on their game, whatever side they come down here with, they will cause us problems."

As is the case for the Chiefs in the LV= Cup, they will again utilise their playing squad to the full as they bring together a hearty mix of youth and experience.

Among those set to get their chance from the outset are several of the club's highly-rated youngsters such as Luke Cowan-Dickie, Lloyd Fairbrother, Will Carrick-Smith, Stu Townsend (pictured) and Tom Hendrickson, the latter two of whom are poised to make their first-ever starts for the Chiefs.

And Pellow says that group of players should look to follow in the studmarks of the likes of Henry Slade, Dave Ewers, Sam Hill and Jack Nowell, all of whom have spent this past week working within the England Rugby set-up.

"You think this time last year and the year before, you had the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Dave Ewers and Sam Hill, they were all playing these games and they were developing as players," said Pellow. "If you look at the side we are going to put out this weekend, especially with the likes of Stu Townsend at nine, he's coming in at the age of 18 to play alongside Ceri Sweeney, a guy who has played at the very top end of the game and won numerous caps, so it's going to be a massive experience for him to learn from.

"It's also going to be a real good opportunity for a lot of the other young lads because it's a chance for them to show what they can do in what will be a very competitive game. At the same time, there are a few of the experienced guys who are chomping at the bit to get out there and show what they can do as well.

"This group of players have a massive opportunity to build some momentum, especially after last weekend's result, and in any club if you can build momentum it will set you nicely moving forward. We got back on track last week at Cardiff and we've got an opportunity again this week and next week up at Worcester to keep pushing forward. If we can do well in this next LV= Cup block not only will it give us a chance to hopefully push on in that competition, but it will also build momentum for what is a massive block of Premiership games coming up."

Tickets for tomorrow's game are still available through the club or online by clicking here

 

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE OSPREYS

15 Tom James
14 Fetu'u Vainikolo
13 Sireli Naqelevuki
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 Ian Whitten
10 Ceri Sweeney (capt)
9 Stuart Townsend
1 Carl Rimmer
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Lloyd Fairbrother
4 Will Carrick-Smith
5 Romana Graham
6 Don Armand
7 James Scaysbrook
8 James Phillips

16 Greg Batemen
17 Kieran Davies
18 Craig Mitchell
19 Joel Conlon
20 Sam Simmonds
21 Jack Oulton
22 Gareth Steenson
23 Max Bodilly