Scaysbrook out to impress

By Mark Stevens

James Scaysbrook says he is "chomping at the bit" as he prepares to be part of the Exeter Chiefs squad for their opening game in this season's European Rugby Challenge Cup against Bayonne.

The 32-year-old has yet to feature for Rob Baxter's side in the Aviva Premiership this term, but the talented openside is poised to get his first start on Saturday evening when the Chiefs tackle their Top 14 rivals at the Stade Jean Dauger.

For much of Exeter’s recent existence Scaysbrook has played an integral part in helping the Chiefs to establish themselves as a force not only within the English game, but also that of Europe where they have locked horns with the likes of Toulon, Leinster and Clermont Auvergne.

However, having been forced to watch from the sidelines this term as the Devon club landed four wins from a possible six in the Aviva Premiership, the all-action forward is ready to step forward and help the club maintain their recent momentum.

“Obviously I’ve not played too much this year, but I’m chomping at the bit to get out there this weekend and hopefully put in a good performance,” said Scaysbrook. “I want to help carry on the momentum the lads have created already this season.”

But as Scaysbrook is well aware, French teams on their own turf are always a tough nut to crack and he expects Bayonne to offer stern resistance to the travelling Chiefs.

“French teams are always a bit unpredictable and they can turn it on at a moment’s notice,” warned the former Bath flanker. “You may feel you have them on the ropes, but all of a sudden they turn it on and get a couple of scores. They’ve also got some big guys in their side, so they’ll look to use them and gain a bit of momentum that way.”

Warnings aside, though, the Chiefs will head across the Channel in buoyant mood and spurred on by last weekend’s 44-24 win over London Irish, where they ran in five tries courtesy of Carl Rimmer, Henry Slade, Damian Welch (2) and Don Armand.

Scaysbrook admits more of the same will be demanded from the visitors this weekend as they look to get their latest European adventure off to a flying start.

“You always want to put down a marker at the start of the group,” added Scaysbrook. “If you can pick up a few good wins early doors, then it’ll put you in a good position towards the end. The fact this is an away game for us, if we can get a win on the road, then it will put us in a great position from the start.”

Having been in the former Heineken Cup for the past two seasons, the Chiefs find themselves back in the second tier of European competition for the current campaign. However, Scaysbrook says lessons learnt playing in that competition - and previous seasons in the Challenge Cup - mean Exeter are well placed to handle the challenge that are set to come.

“Playing in the Heineken Cup has been good for us and we’ve certainly learnt a few lessons that have brought us on as a club,” continued the Exeter man. “Also, it was only a few years ago that we lost to Stade Francais in the quarter-final of this competition, so again we know what it takes to compete at this level.

“It’s experiences like that which drive you on both as a player and as a club. We want to keep moving forward and keep progressing and if we can play in big games and get to the latter stages of competitions, like we did last year in the LV= Cup, then you get to cope with the pressures of playing in those knockout games and that can only help you in the long term.”