McGuigan targets final place

Byron McGuigan is sure Exeter Chiefs can take heart from having already won at Kingsholm this season ahead of their European Rugby Challenge Cup semi-final against Gloucester on Saturday week.

The back shone as the Chiefs guaranteed their first European semi-final with a fine 48-13 victory over Newcastle last Saturday, a day after David Humphreys’ Gloucester side defeated Connacht 14-7.

Gloucester did beat Exeter 26-25 at Sandy Park at the start of 2015 to avenge the 25-22 victory for Rob Baxter’s side earlier in the season at Kingsholm.

However Namibian-born McGuigan wants the Devon side to have the last laugh this month and book a final spot at The Stoop in Twickenham on Friday, May 1.

“Going to Gloucester is awesome. The last time we played them they beat us, so we owe them one. We are looking forward to it,” the 25-year-old declared. “The boys have got a really good result up there this season, so we know how to do it. In a couple of weeks’ time, the prep will be right and we will go there and give it our best shot.”

Between now and then, though, Exeter have the small matter of a Premiership clash with league leaders Northampton Saints.

Jim Mallinder’s side were hammered 37-5 by Clermont Auvergne in the European Rugby Champions Cup last time out, and McGuigan knows they will be looking to take their frustrations out on the Chiefs on Sunday.

He said: “The Northampton game is a big one. It is never an easy game and they are top of the league because they show week in, week out that they are an awesome team.

“They will want to bounce back 100 per cent but we know that, and we will have to be mentally ready and it is a big week for us.

“I heard Sandy Park is sold out already, so that is awesome,” McGuigan continued. “The crowd gives me goose bumps every time. Every time someone makes a break or a tackle, you hear them and it really lifts me up.”