Ewers set for Baa-Baas test

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs forward Dave Ewers believes he has been handed a "massive opportunity" to showcase his credentials to the wider public after being named in the England starting line-up for Sunday's clash with the Barbarians at Twickenham.

The powerful 23-year-old is one of three Chiefs - Sam Hill and Henry Slade are the others - who will all get their chance to shine against a star-studded Baa-Baas line-up that includes the likes of Hosea Gear, Juan Martin Hernandez, Donnacha O'Callaghan, Joe Rokococo and James O'Connor to name but a few.

For Ewers, his involvement with England is just the latest high point in a season which has seen the no-nonsense back-row forward really come of age at Sandy Park.

Not only was he a virtual ever-present in Rob Baxter's first team plans, but he was awarded the club's Player of the Year accolade, as well as featuring for the England Saxons against both the Irish Wolfhounds and Scotland A.

Now, the former Ivybridge Community College youngster is looking to push on further for the national side in this weekend's non-capped fixture at the home of English rugby.

"I'm very excited for the weekend," said Ewers. "It's a massive opportunity for all of us involved and it's a massive game because it's at Twickenham and it's not every day you get to play there. I think for all of us it's about playing on the big stage and showcasing what we can do, not just individually, but also as a team."

The emergence of Ewers this season has certainly been impressive and alongside the clutch of fellow youngsters at the Chiefs, the future certainly looks bright for those coming through the ranks at Exeter.

"It's been a good season for a lot of us, especially myself," added Ewers. "It shows how well the academy system is working at the club and the work put in by people like Rob Gibson and Robin Cowling - they brought me through initially in the academy and that's just continued working with the likes of Rob Baxter and Rob Hunter with the first team.

Ewers knows, however, this weekend's test will again be a step up in standards and is ready to accept the challenge of tackling some of the biggest names in world rugby.

"I think that's the big difference you notice when you come here, it's a lot more intense and a real step up in standards," said the all-action No.8. "As I said, it's exciting for us young boys because you don't want to get stuck in an environment where you are comfortable, you want to get pushed to reach new levels and improve your game.

"Sunday is a big opportunity for me go out there and show what I do and that means producing some big carries, getting my hands on the ball and producing but work-rate around the park."

England XV (v Barbarians, Twickenham Stadium, Sunday 1 June, 3pm)

15 Elliot Daly (London Wasps)
14 Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby & Army)
13 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
12 Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs)
11 Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
10 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
9 Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
1 Ross Harrison  (Sale Sharks)
2 Rob Buchanan (Harlequins)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
4 Michael Paterson (Sale Sharks)
5 Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers)
6 Jamie Gibson (Leicester Tigers)
7 Luke Wallace (Harlequins)
8 Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs)

Replacements

16 Tommy Taylor (Sale Sharks)
17 Fraser Balmain (Leicester Tigers)
18 Will Collier (Harlequins)
19 Charlie Matthews (Harlequins)
20 James Gaskell (Sale Sharks)
21 Dan Robson (Gloucester Rugby)
22 Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby)
23 Rob Miller (Sale Sharks)