Incentives aplenty for Carl

Exeter Chiefs are within touching distance of securing an LV= Cup Final spot on home soil but Carl Rimmer insists his side need no extra motivation for tomorrow's semi-final away to Bath Rugby (1pm).

Rob Baxter's side finished top of Pool 2 after winning three of their four matches - beating Harlequins, Ospreys and Worcester Warriors along the way.

Indeed the only defeat came at the hands of Bath, a 37-15 reverse in November and continued what is now an 11-game unbeaten run against the Chiefs.

It means Exeter must make history if they are to enjoy the privilege of contesting for the LV= Cup on home soil next weekend.

And with so much to play for, Rimmer admits there is no shortage of incentive for the Chiefs this weekend.

"It would be special to step out at Sandy Park in the final but it is not the pinnacle of our motivation for this weekend," said Rimmer.

"It is all about just winning this game and then getting to that final. Our record against Bath always comes up whenever we play them, but it is not something we can focus on.

"It would be nice to end that run in this game, it would be a good time to do it.

"They have had a tremendous year and they were a good side last year as well, they have got pace and power all over the pitch and it is just a case of us preparing in the right way and being ready."

To reach the final, the Chiefs will need to cope with the losses of Jack Nowell and Tom Johnson to England - the former having made his name in the competition last year, winning the 2012/13 LV= Breakthrough Player Award.

This year hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie (pictured), 20, has seized his chance, scoring two tries against the Ospreys, and Rimmer insists the Chiefs have always recognised the competition's benefits.

"We have always taken it really seriously," added Rimmer. "We have approached it in the same way we would the league and we have given it everything.

"Jack had his chance last year and is with England and Dickie has had a run this year.

"We'll always look at it one game at a time and so it's hard to say what it would be like to be in the final but of course it would be great to win the club's first silverware since promotion to the Premiership."