'We need to get streetwise' - Arscott

By Mark Stevens

Luke Arscott believes a more “streetwise” approach is needed as Exeter Chiefs look to rediscover their winning formula.

Saturday’s narrow 15-10 loss at home to Glasgow Warriors in the Heineken Cup was an eighth defeat in nine games for Rob Baxter’s side, but yet another where just a solitary score separated the Chiefs from their rivals.

It’s a statistic full-back Arscott says the Chiefs are desperate to address sooner rather than later, particularly as the Chiefs reach a pivotal point in their season.

“The disappointing thing over the last four or five weeks – possibly even longer – is losing by a score or a couple of scores,” said Arscott, who was given the honour of skippering the Chiefs for the first time at the weekend. “We need to get a bit more streetwise and try to come out on the right side of those results.”

Having been given a dream start thanks to an early Henry Slade penalty and a converted try for Tongan international Fetu’u Vainikolo, the Chiefs failed to build on their 10-0 lead and it was the Warriors who hit back thanks to tries from Sean Lamont and Sean Maitland, as well as five points from fellow Scottish international Stuart Hogg.

The result all but ended Exeter’s aspirations of European qualification this season. Baxter’s men now need at least a five-point haul from Saturday’s visit to Cardiff Blues in Pool Two, whilst at the same time hoping results elsewhere also go their way.

Arscott knows it was another vital lesson in the future education of the Chiefs, who showed ten changes to their starting line-up for the visit of the Scotsmen to Sandy Park. However, he was quick to reiterate the post-match thoughts of Baxter, who admitted his side were guilty of ‘switching off’ at key times in the contest.

“Rob spoke to us in the changing room about not switching off after we get some points and maybe we did that on Saturday and let them back in the game and eventually that probably cost us the game,” added Arscott, who was one of just five players to keep their place in the Chiefs starting line-up from the previous week at London Wasps.

“There were quite a few boys who were making their first Heineken Cup appearance, let alone start. Lloydy (Fairbrother) on the bench came on and did well and (Luke Cowan-)Dickie at hooker played out of his skin. For sure there were a lot of positives to take. Obviously we’d have liked to have been on the other end of the result but that’s one of those things.”

With Baxter likely to utilise his squad to the full over this next month in both Europe and the LV= Cup, Arscott says the time has come for everyone to step up to the plate and show their worth to the Chiefs cause.

“We all realise that over the next four weeks there are going to be opportunities for the boys to stake their claim,” he said. “At the same time, it’s only the 80 minutes in front of you that you can deal with. You’ve got to perform as well as you can over those 80 minutes and then hopefully in four weeks’ time, if you’ve put your hand up, Rob will give you the nod.”

Next up for Devon’s finest is this weekend’s trip to the Welsh capital and a clash with the Blues, who will no doubt be seeking revenge following their European licking by the Chiefs earlier this season.

“They’ll have a point to prove after the result down here at the start of the year,” continued Arscott. “We’re going to have to be on our game, whatever team Rob puts out, the boys will have a chance to put their hand up again for the LV games and the next Premiership block as well.”