Bodilly wants fans' backing

By Steve Grace
31/7/2016

Exeter Chiefs’ Max Bodilly is calling on his fans to replicate their Sandy Park support at the Ricoh Arena when they make the trip to Coventry for the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series Final on August 7.

Chiefs prevailed from Group B on home soil, overcoming Wasps, Bristol Rugby and Bath Rugby to reach the Singha 7s’ grandest stage in less than two weeks’ time.

And Bodilly, one of Chiefs’ stars on the day, believes the home advantage was an integral part of their qualification and is urging the Devon support to get behind the team in the Midlands.

“Chiefs fans are always loud and proud, a lot of the time they’ll out-cheer the home fans too which not many do, so we’re hoping for the same again when we get up there,” he said.

“It’s a massive stadium, hopefully the boys can get a massive support there too. We won the plate last year so we’re hoping to go one better this time.”

With the stature of the Singha 7s growing every year, there is arguably no better time to be involved with the sport.

And the 21-year-old believes the opportunities his fellow youngsters are getting are second to none in terms of the experience they will develop, with a chance to go one better after overcoming Wasps at Sandy Park.

“The club takes the competition very seriously,” he added. “The youngsters get a chance to run out there at Sandy Park and get a feeling of what it’s like to wear the Chiefs' shirt.

“To get back out at Sandy Park is a massive deal for all the boys, and for the ones who hadn’t played there before to get a taste of it is something they’ll want to chase a lot more of.

“There are some big names out there, and for youngsters like us there’s a chance to show what we can do and compare ourselves to the big names that have been around for a while, so that we can get out there and play at the highest level we can.”

Eight teams will play for the first silverware of the season in the Singha Premiership Rugby 7s Series Finals from 2pm at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry on Sunday 7 August. For tickets visit wasps.co.uk/tickets