Every point is vital, insists Hill

Exeter Chiefs know more than anyone the importance of picking up every Aviva Premiership Rugby point and centre Sam Hill believes his side are now showing the required resilience to grind out potential crucial victories.

Chiefs finished the 2014/15 Aviva Premiership campaign level on points with Saracens. But while Sarries went on to lift the title, Rob Baxter's men missed out on the play-offs on points difference.

Last weekend Exeter Chiefs remained second in the table thanks to their narrow 26-25 victory over Harlequins at Sandy Park.

And Hill said: "We have had a lot of performances in the past where we have lost by a point or two so it was really nice to see us close out the game at the weekend because we haven't in the past and it has cost us.

"So it was really good to see the boys get that win, especially as it became scrappy but we fought it out.

"Games like last week would have slipped away from us in the past so it shows we have come on quite a bit from where we are to win those kinds of games.

"The points difference can be crucial - like we found out last year when we missed out on the play-offs by points difference having finished level.

"Just one point from one of those games last year would have been the difference in us making the top four."

Exeter Chiefs were promoted to Aviva Premiership Rugby in 2010 and their success in recent years has come at the same time as blooding some of the brightest talent in the country.

England internationals Jack Nowell and Henry Slade are just two of the youngsters who have established themselves in the starting line-up, alongside older signings like Thomas Waldrom and Geoff Parling and established first team players such as Gareth Steenson.

Hill, who is only 22 himself and will start alongside Slade against Wasps today, said: "It is the third year in the Premiership for a lot of the boys and it comes down to experience because you get to grips with what you have to do and used to it.

"Then you have had senior guys like Geoff come in and make a big impact so we have a good balance to the squad. The really good thing with this year is there is a lot of competition so you always have to be on the top of your game.

"It is a good thing for everyone because you always have to max out in every training session and in games you feel pressure if you are not playing well, which is a good thing."