Devoto focused on Cup encounter

By Mark Stevens
11/12/16

Exeter Chiefs can look no further ahead than today’s European Champions Cup encounter with Bordeaux Begles, says star centre Ollie Devoto.

After four successive victories, the last three in the Aviva Premiership, Rob Baxter’s side return to European matters with a double header against the French outfit over this next fortnight.

It starts today in Devon at Sandy Park (5:30pm), before the return leg next Saturday at the Stade Chaban Delmas, and the Chiefs know nothing less than two victories - ideally with bonus points attached - will be enough to keep their Champions Cup aspirations alive.

Ulster’s victory at home to previously unbeaten ASM Clermont Auvergne yesterday has thrown Pool 5 wide open again, providing the Chiefs can record their first European success of the season so far.

“We’re looking forward to the game,” said Devoto. “We have looked at what threat Bordeaux might potentially pose and we’ve working this week to try and deal with that.

“We know they are a tough team and that it will be tough over there next week, but first and foremost we must get it right here at home.”

In his first season with the Chiefs since moving from rivals Bath, the 23-year-old has settled well to life at Sandy Park, featuring in the majority of first team game and scoring his maiden try in the recent away win at Newcastle Falcons.

However, getting the chance to tackle Europe’s elite players and teams is the kind of test the Yeovil-born back relishes and he’s hoping to again make his mark today alongside close friend and England team-mate, Henry Slade, who is one of a number of changes made for the visit of the Top 14 side.

“It’s always fantastic to play teams in Europe because you want to test yourself against the best there is,” continued Devoto. “It will be a tough game, we know that, but hopefully we can do ourselves justice at the weekend and put in a big performance.”

Certainly the Chiefs have shown in recent weeks that they have rediscovered the kind of form that got them not only to last season’s Premiership final, but also the last eight of Europe, by picking off Newcastle, Worcester and, more recently, Sale Sharks in the top flight.

“It’s not often you go to Sale and get a result like we did, restricting them to just three points,” added Devoto. “We were disappointed not to score again in the second half and get the bonus point, but the first half was some of our best rugby we have played all season and I think that sort of form will stand us in good stead moving forward.”

And as for himself, Devoto - although very settled in his new surroundings - still believes this is more to come from himself with the Chiefs.

“When I first signed here I knew I needed to develop more,” he continued. “I’ve felt I have already done that and I’ve had a couple of good runs in the team, so hopefully I can keep that going. I knew I was coming to a club where they give young talent a chance, I had seen Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Hill all do well, and I wanted to be part of that.”