Finals Day beckons for Under-18s

Exeter Chiefs Under-18s will be looking to wrap their season up on a winning note this afternoon when they tackle Worcester Warriors in the Premiership Under-18s Academy Finals Day at Allianz Park (2:30pm).

Victory at home to Bath in their final Southern Group fixture at Sandy Park ensured the Chiefs qualified through for the fifth/sixth-place play-off encounter.

In an encouraging campaign for the Chiefs, as well as the Bath victory they have also defeated Harlequins and Bristol during the pool stages – and came within a whisker of beating both Saracens and Wasps.

Looking ahead to today’s appearance at Finals Day, Academy Manager Robin Cowling (pictured) said: “Obviously we’re delighted to have made it through to the Finals again this year. We’ve got one more fixture to play [against Worcester] and if we can pick up a win from that game, it will represent a very good return for us in terms of results.

“Over the course of the season we’ve seen some very encouraging signs and seen some outstanding individual performances, all of which we will use to improve the side for next season.

“At times it has been it has been a very steep learning curve for the squad, but that was exactly what was required with the team improving week on week, which as coaches is all we can ask.

“The team have played some very pleasing and smart rugby. Lapses in concentration have cost the squad at times, but that is the beauty of this competition and from the coaches perspective the players have all learned and been able to turn the experience into a very positive season.

“With such a young squad the signs for next season are very promising indeed and we will be aiming to finish the U18 Academy season in style with another improved performance on Monday. If that happens then it will have been a huge success for all involved.”
CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE WORCESTER WARRIORS

1 Adam Wright
2 Matt Symons
3 Marcus Street
4 Hugo Culverhouse
5 Dan Swain
6 Sam Daly
7 Will Gibson
8 Charlie Wright
9 Joe Snow
10 Harvey Skinner
11 AJ Cant
12 Dec Matthews
13 Aaron Chapman
14 Matt Morrish
15 Toby Williams

16 Nat Bayet
17 James Kenny
18 Liam Hilliar
19 Dan Head
20 Charlie Fetney
21 Aaron Bagwell
22 Sam Brown
23 Jessie Lowe