Hooker battle excites Taione

The depth of talent Exeter Chiefs have at the hooker position would put some prospective front rowers off joining the club - but not Elvis Taione.

The Tongan international joined the Chiefs from Championship side Jersey over the summer and has helped his new side to three wins from their opening four Aviva Premiership Rugby matches.

Taione has come on as a replacement for starting hooker Jack Yeandle in each game this season, including their most recent win - a 36-13 triumph over Harlequins last weekend.

And with former England Under-20 star Luke Cowan-Dickie on his way back from a knee injury, the 31-year-old knows he faces an ongoing battle for the number two jersey.

But Taione insists that not only is he relishing the good-natured competition - he is a far better player because of it.

"We three hookers definitely spur each other on," he said. "We complement each other really well in training - on the field and off the field as well.

"Whatever we need we can always talk to each other about and we always work hard on our skills together. Whether it's our throwing into the line-out or whatever, we always help each other out.

"It's definitely an advantage to have so many talented hookers at the club and without pushing each other I don't think we would play as well.

"The competitiveness within us and fighting for that number two jersey just makes us better and that makes the team better."

Taione has seven caps for his native Tonga and admits that with next year's World Cup in England now under 12 months away, his thoughts are beginning to turn to the biggest stage in world rugby.

But with Newcastle Falcons at Kingston Park on Sunday a more immediate concern, the hooker acknowledges that his focus must stay on a fine start to the season at club level.

"We're very pleased with our start to the season," he added. "There has been a lot of hard work and we poured a lot of sweat and tears into pre-season, so it's nice to see the results.

"We're not there yet but to see the results so far is very pleasing - we've done what the coaches have told us to do each and every week.

"Obviously the World Cup is on my mind - it's at the back of every international player's mind. The World Cup is an unbelievable opportunity for all players.

"But my focus is on the Chiefs at the moment and hopefully if I can do well for the Chiefs, the rest will take care of itself."