Yeandle looking to build

 

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

By Mark Stevens

Jack Yeandle says it’s vital Exeter Chiefs maintain their recent momentum when they tackle Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership this afternoon (3pm).

Devon’s finest can maintain their position amongst the division’s frontrunners with success at Kingston Park.

Yeandle, who is currently adopting the role of captain in the absence of the injured Dean Mumm, will again lead his side into battle on Newcastle’s new 4G surface.

He - like his team-mates - know the threat posed by the Falcons, who despite losing their last 20 top flight games, still have a squad capable of mixing it with the very best in the division.

“They’re always a tough side to beat,” warned Yeandle. “They are very physical, they’ve got some top quality players and as we found out in both games last season, you have to work hard to break them down.

“It’s important, therefore, that we keep the momentum that we’ve created over the last few weeks going, whilst also ensuring that our concentration levels are right up there,”

Back-to-back wins over Gloucester and Harlequins have given the Chiefs plenty of confidence to take to the North East, but Yeandle also feels there is a tougher edge to the Exeter squad from that of last term.

Like a number in the Chiefs ranks, Yeandle was given his first significant dose of regular Premiership action by Baxter last term - and he feels that exposure has helped to make him a more rounded player.

“Experience is vital at this level,” added the Exeter-born forward. “And you learn a lot about how to get your body through all the games. It’s a long old season, but I think you are learning all the time. Having so many players with that extra experience, myself included, it’s only going to benefit you on the pitch and we saw that at the weekend.”

Certainly the early signs have been encouraging for the Chiefs, who have not been afraid to talk up how they are willing to go to ‘dark places’ in a bid to ensure victories.

It was a point first highlighted by Henry Slade and Yeandle himself has endorsed the view of the Chiefs playmaker ahead of this latest match-up.

“We have been saying all season that we want to push our fitness levels,” continued Yeandle. “If it’s hurting us when we are playing with the ball and attacking - and we are feeling tired - just have a look at the opposition because they are going to be hurting even more as it’s always tougher to defend.

“We’ve had that big focus on raising our intensity levels to wear out the opposition and grind them down. So far it’s worked well and we’ve got some tries and some wins under the belt.

“On Sunday it will be the same up at Newcastle because it’s a firm pitch so we’ll look to run them around, attack the space, and try and score some tries and hopefully get the win.”