Chiefs side to face Bath

By Mark Stevens

The countdown to the new season continues in earnest again this weekend for the Exeter Chiefs, who tomorrow welcome rivals Bath to Sandy Park in the Westcountry Challenge Cup (3pm).

Having kicked off the newly-created tournament with a 41-38 triumph over visiting Gloucester two weeks ago, Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter will be looking for his squad to up the ante a little more against their nearest and dearest this weekend.

And with the Chiefs set to face Bath three times in the next five weeks, Baxter is keen to strike an early psychological blow as the two are set to meet on the opening day of the Aviva Premiership at the Recreation Ground.

That, however, is down the line and for now Baxter’s focus – and that of his players – will be on ensuring they produce a performance this weekend.

Although pleased with a large portion of what his side produced against the Cherry & Whites, three late visiting tries gave the scoreline a more flattering look and gave Baxter and his fellow coaches a few things to ponder post-match.

“There was certainly some good stuff in there, but certainly some work-ons for us as well,” said Baxter. “That’s important for us, that’s what pre-season’s about – identifying the weak areas and having time to work on them.

“We’ve worked very hard on a few things, a little bit about looking after the ball a little bit better, about respecting the ball and some things that will toughen us up a little bit in defence, because we did leak quite a lot of points very easily at the end of the game.

“We’ve discussed that, but there were also a lot of positives – the set-piece held up very well, our attacking phases created quite a lot of space at times and created pressure. We’ve got to look to keep moving those fundamental parts of our game forward week by week.”

With Bath handed a 50-7 hammering in their opening game by Gloucester a week ago, Baxter is reading little into that result and is expecting tomorrow’s visitors to still pose a decent challenge to his troops in this latest battle.

Baxter added: “Bath had their first game in the Westcountry Cup last week against a very strong Gloucester side.

“We don’t know what team Bath are going to be sending yet, but they’ve had a strong squad now for a number of years, were runners-up in the Premiership last year, so whatever happens it’s going to be a challenge.

“We’ve picked a changed-up side, I think it’s a great opportunity for the guys who are playing to get more game time and put themselves forward for the first time for a lot of them to really challenge for a starting spot in about a month’s time.”

And with Baxter keen to utilise his own squad options again this weekend, those on duty for the Chiefs will again have a chance to shine as the new season draws ever closer.

Indeed, among those set to feature is youngster Joe Simmonds (pictured), who will occupy the role of playmaker for the hosts.

The Academy product, who is the younger brother of current Chiefs flanker, Sam Simmonds, has impressed many at Sandy Park during pre-season, including helping the Chiefs to win the Singha Premiership 7s Plate competition.

And tomorrow he will get the chance to showcase his talents within the 15-man game, forming the half-back partnership alongside the experienced Haydn Thomas.

“It’s a great moment for Joe, it’s a big chance for him in what’s a pretty good and experienced back line around him,” continued Baxter. “I think Max Bodilly is improving all the time, he’s starting to look really good in training and he’s got some good qualities – he’s a strong guy, he’s got good pace and a good step and he’s a tough competitor.

“Guys like Pete Laverick have come into our pre-season programme and done really well and their seizing their opportunities with both hands. It’s great to see young players get opportunities, how much they progress over the next couple of weeks before the Premiership is up to them.”

But as well as the youngsters, Baxter is also bolstered by the return of Jack Yeandle, who will skipper the side after his recovery from neck surgery this summer.

“Jack started to come through as a real leader, did a fair bit of captaincy for us, played a lot of games and he’s developing all the time as a player,” said Baxter. “Alongside Kai [Horstmann] hey’ve probably been two of the drivers in the rehab group, they’ve had to spend an awful lot more time with rehab people and in the gym and challenging themselves in non-rugby ways than anyone else, and it’s a great credit to them and the medical team that they look so good in training at the moment.”


CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE BATH

15 Byron McGuigan
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Max Bodilly
12 Ian Whitten
11 Matt Jess
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Haydn Thomas
1 Carl Rimmer
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Alex Brown
4 Ollie Atkins
5 Damian Welch
6 Tom Johnson
7 Ben White
8 Don Armand

16 Shaun Malton
17 Brett Sturgess
18 Moray Low
19 Jonny Hill
20 Julian Salvi
21 Stu Townsend
22 Adam Hughes
23 Phil Dollman
1 Alec Hepburn
3 Harry Williams
6 Sam Skinner
9 Jack Maunder
12 Pete Laverick
14 James Short