Chudley aware of Falcons threat

By Mark Stevens

Will Chudley knows better than most the threat Newcastle Falcons pose, but this evening the Exeter Chiefs scrum-half will be looking to down his former club in the quarter-finals of this season’s European Challenge Cup.

The 27-year-old spent a season at Kingston Park before he was snapped up by the Chiefs during the summer of 2012.

Since then the Kettering-born back has played a key role in Exeter’s recent rise - and his try-scoring display at Leicester a week ago saw him notch up his 50th appearance for the Devon club.

Tonight, though, Chudley will be bidding to play his part as the Chiefs not only look to overcome their Aviva Premiership rivals, but at the same time book a potential semi-final encounter with Gloucester, who themselves advanced on Friday night with a 14-7 home win over Connacht.

“It’s exciting times, especially at this time of year,” said Chudley. “As a player you want to be involved in the big occasions and this is certainly one of them. It’s fantastic that we’re playing in front of our crowd, just because as players we loving playing here.

“The attendances we’ve at home this year have been phenomenal and the noise they make is just huge. As a player it gives you such a lift both before, during and after the game, so hopefully we can repay them by getting another result.”

Certainly the history books are in Exeter’s favour, particularly as the Falcons have never won at Sandy Park. However, Chudley says the fact it’s now knock-out rugby means the mindset changes for both teams heading into the game.

“It’s a huge game for both sides,” he explained. “It’s a break from the Premiership and its a Cup encounter at the end of the day. As players we know how big an opportunity it is and the carrot is there for us to book a place in a European semi-final. Nobody has ever done that here at the Chiefs, but it will be tough, we know that.”

With honours even so far this season in terms of Premiership results, this latest match-up promises to be the most intriguing of the three encounters.

“We have got to turn up from the outset,” warned Chudley. “They have got some very good players in their squad, players who can cause real damage if you give them time and space. That said, we have to focus first and foremost on ourselves and make sure we do the basics right and put our game on them. If we do that, then we give ourselves a great chance of getting a result.”

Tickets for tonight’s game are available online via the Exeter Chiefs official website and also available on the day from the ticket office.