Lewis primed for new season

By Mark Stevens

Dave Lewis says Exeter Chiefs will use the disappointment of narrowly missing out on a place in the Aviva Premiership play-offs as a key motivator ahead of the new 2015/16 season.

Rob Baxter’s side continue their build-up to the new season by facing league rivals Gloucester in their latest Westcountry Challenge Cup clash at the Memorial Stadium today (3pm).

Having collected home wins already against the Cherry & Whites and Bath already this season, Lewis knows the time has come for the Chiefs to up the ante in preparation for what lies ahead.

“This is the moment we have all been waiting for, the time where we can all get into a proper routine of preparing for games,” said scrum-half Lewis. “So far pre-season has been somewhat stop-start with little breaks here and there, but this weekend is where it all starts for us.

“Not only is it our first chance to practice to our routines for away games, but it’s also the start to ramp things up, so we need to put in a really big performance and get ready for that first game at Bath.”

With the Chiefs pleased with large aspects of their play in the opening two fixtures, Lewis has echoed the words of head coach Baxter, who has admitted this week that now is the time to sharpen up the game plan with the new season looming large on the horizon.

“We need to keep building and keep improving,”  added Lewis, who spent six years at Gloucester before moving to Sandy Park in the summer of 2013. “We put in two good performances against Gloucester and Bath, but now we have to move on again and show what we are all about.

“We’ve trained well again this week and now it’s a case of looking at what we have practiced in training and putting into place over these next two games.”

With excitement building in and around Sandy Park ahead of the big kick-off, Lewis says he and his team-mates cannot wait to get back into the cut and thrust of league action, starting with their eagerly awaited derby encounter at Bath.

“Last season was a great year for the club and was the next stage in the progression of the Chiefs,” continued Lewis. “We showed we could be competitive against everyone in the division, so there is no reason we can’t push for the top four again this season.

“If you look at our squad it’s full of quality players - with a lot of talent - and across the board there is real competition for places in every position. It’s been the same every year I’ve been here and it will be no different this time round. I know it’s a cliche, but the competition does bring the best out of every one and that can only be a positive.”