Chiefs are title contenders - Ryan

By Mark Stevens

Worcester Warriors head coach Dean Ryan believes Exeter Chiefs are genuine contenders to lift this season’s Aviva Premiership title.

Speaking ahead of his side’s televised encounter with the Chiefs at Sixways on Sunday (3pm), Ryan used his weekly media briefing to talk up the virtues of the visiting Devonians.

Like many, Ryan has been impressed by the way Rob Baxter’s side have gone about their business - both in the league and Europe - ever since they were promoted into the top flight back in 2010.

Now as he looks to oversee his own transformation of the Midlanders, who regained their Premiership status last May when they overcame Bristol in the Championship Play-Off Final, Ryan has warned of the threat his side face on home soil this weekend.

“They’re a phenomenal side,” said the former England international. “I am huge admirer of what they have done - and I am huge admirer of what are doing right now.

“They are second in the Premiership table and they are European quarter-finalists, but I think a lot of people have missed the point that they have got their without four or five guys who generally take the headlines for them.

“Recently none of their England EPS players have been playing - and they’ve got some significant injuries as well - but they’ve got to the stage where their squad doesn’t show that. They have huge depth to their squad and they are able to maintain performances week in, week out.

“For sure they are genuine contenders for the Premiership and therefore a serious threat for us to try and get a result against.”

In what is the first of ten successive Premiership games for all 12 top flight clubs, Ryan will be boosted on Sunday by the return of captain GJ van Velze, who will make his first league appearance since late November.

The South African is one of six changes to the starting XV that pushed Wasps earlier this month. Also returning are winger Bryce Heem, who recently got married back in his native New Zealand, as well as a new half-back pairing of Tom Heathcote and Luke Baldwin.

Up front, Darren Barry comes into the second-row, while flanker Marco Mama, who signed a deal this week to join the Warriors on a permanent basis at the end of the season, will partner Van Velze and the experienced Phil Dowson in the back row.