Opportunity knocks for Atkins

By Stuart James
6/2/16

There is rarely any good to come from injuries in sport, but if there is a positive, it is that it offers a chance to someone else.

Exeter Chiefs have certainly had their fair share in recent weeks and months, especially in the pack where the likes of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Dave Ewers, Mitch Lees and Damian Welch have all come a cropper.

While they are being nursed back to full fitness, Ollie Atkins is keen to make the most of the opportunity that has presented itself to him and establish himself as a first team regular at Sandy Park.

“I have just tried to play each game to the best of my ability,” the 27-year-old Australian said. “I know the guys were playing really well at the start of the year, unfortunately, injuries took them down when they were playing some great rugby.

“I have just been trying to improve on each game that I have been given and I am just happy to get the opportunity to be out there with the rest of the boys.”

Atkins – like virtually every other new arrival at Sandy Park – settled into life well at Exeter since his summer arrival from Pro 12 side Edinburgh, even if his first-team opportunities have been few and far between until now.

The 6ft 6in Hobart-born lock has started three games since crossing the border, but made a further seven appearances off the bench, but like everyone else at the club right now, he is itching to be a part of Sunday’s squad to face Premiership leaders Saracens.

“These are the games you live for,” Atkins said. “It is going to be a huge challenge for us, they are playing well, but off the back of that, we have been playing some great footy as well.

“It is going to be a big match up and we just have to play the Exeter Chiefs way and do it to 100 per cent.

“Everyone is really excited, it has been a great feeling during training this week and it is the type of game that you really get up for.”

Saracens arrive in Devon having lost only once in the league so far this season, but a win for Exeter would see them leapfrog the Londoners and claim pole position in the title race at the halfway stage of the season.

Many say it is the right time to play Sarries, who have six players with England on Six Nations duty this weekend, plus another with Scotland, but Atkins refutes that claim and is expecting a tough game against the team that have led the way throughout the season so far.

“The results speak for themselves,” Atkins added. “They have done really well in the Aviva [Premiership] and done really well in the European [Champions Cup] but at the end of the day, they are just another bunch of blokes playing rugby against us.

“They have to come here and we have to give our best performance and it should make for a fantastic game.

“They have a really good set piece and do their homework really well. They have a great kicking game, but they can also attack from anywhere, so you have to be wary on all fronts really.

“We really have to take the game to them. We have to get on the front foot and stop them from getting on the front foot really.

“It is going to be a good spectacle, both teams will be going for the points, but when you play a team like Sarries, you have to do your analysis, do your homework and really nail down the simple things in the game.”