Johnson relishing battles ahead

By Mark Stevens

Tom Johnson insists he and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates are relishing the challenges that lie ahead for the Devon club in the coming weeks.

With Wasps first up in the Aviva Premiership on Satuday, then back-to-back Champions Cup encounters with Clermont-Auvergne in Europe, the relentless nature of the current campaign shows no sign of abating for Rob Baxter’s side.

According to Johnson, though, the players themselves would not have it any other way as they look to maintain their own impressive run of form, which was highlighted with last weekend’s home win over Harlequins.

“We’re really looking forward to the games coming up,” said the England international. “You can see now why we have such a big squad and such quality in depth, because it’s going to be called upon over these games and beyond.

“We’ve got a few knocks and a few injuries within the squad, but for all of us it’s great to have these big games to focus on.”

So far it’s been a hugely encouraging start to the season for the Chiefs, who clocked up their fourth win in five league starts with their 26-25 victory over Harlequins a week ago.

Although outscored four tries to two by the Londoners, Exeter always kept themselves in the hunt thanks in the main to the boot of Irish fly-half Gareth Steenson

And the 33-year-old forward says it was a priceless victory for the Chiefs, having worked so hard in atrocious conditions at Sandy Park.

“It was great to come away with the four points,” he added. “Quins’ are flying high at the moment and they’ve knocked over some decent sides already this season. They also play a great brand of rugby, so to turn them over was a great result for us.”

With little to choose between either side throughout an entertaining encounter, the Chiefs prevailed just enough to ensure they remain second in the standings heading into this weekend’s latest round of battle.

“It was pretty nip and tuck,” conceded Johnson. “They had a fantastic first half, scoring three tries, but we managed to stay in touching distance with them and by half time we were up. We knew the second half would be tough, especially playing into the wind.

“The conditions came down as well, so it was just a case of grinding it out. I thought we played some great running rugby in the wet, so fair play to the boys for the way they played.”

Now, the Chiefs will be craving more of the same against a Wasps side, who in recent weeks have seen off reigning European champions Toulon and league rivals London Irish.

“They are a very good team and we know it will be another big test for us,” continued Johnson. “But we’re in good form ourselves, the squad is looking very strong and we’ll go up there and give it our best shot.”

With injury doubts lingering over back-row duo Dave Ewers and Don Armand ahead of kick-off, Johnson may well be called upon to show his worth from the outset at the Ricoh this weekend.

The man himself says he is more than ready to step up and says the mix of the current squad is driving standards up, both in training and on the field.

“It’s fierce competition across the board, but it needs to be,” he said. “The boys who are out there playing have done an outstanding job, but they are being driven on by others within the squad who are fresh and who want to make an impact.

“I think no one can rest on their laurels, so it’s a good place to be.”