Top two is still target for Slade

By Mark Stevens
18/4/2016

Henry Slade says a top two finish in the Aviva Premiership remains the key focus for Exeter Chiefs this season, despite the Devon club suffering defeat at Gloucester on Friday night.

With just two rounds of the scheduled season remaining, the Chiefs saw rivals Wasps leapfrog them into second place at the weekend following their 54-35 victory away to Worcester Warriors.

But with Wasps next on the agenda for Rob Baxter's side at Sandy Park on Sunday, May 1 - England international Slade knows victory in that game, coupled with a similar result away to Harlequins a week later - should guarantee them a crucial home semi-final.

"It is still in our hands," said the 23-year-old back following Friday's 16-9 defeat at Kingsholm. "If we beat Wasps at our place, then we can still finish second and we are confident in what we can do.

"We have got a couple of weeks to prepare for Wasps and we are looking forward to getting them down to Sandy Park."

Having lost by a point to the Midlanders just a fortnight ago in the European Champions Cup, the Chiefs will have the chance to recharge themselves, physically and mentally this weekend, while Dai Young's side ready themselves for their European semi-final against Saracens in Reading.

After which the build-up will begin in earnest for what promises to be a crucial encounter between two of English rugby's most attacking sides.

Slade is already relishing the battle that lies in store, but says first and foremost he and his team-mates must get over the frustration of Friday's setback against the Cherry & Whites.

He added: "We came off the back of a big emotional performance the previous week against Wasps, so to just come up short again is frustrating.

"There were a couple of key moments in the game which, if they had gone our way, would have meant a completely different story. That is just the way it goes though and they came through a couple of key moments and the momentum swung in their direction."

After a scoreless first half, the Chiefs were first to show after the restart as Gareth Steenson landed the first of three successful penalties on the night.

Sadly, Gloucester goalkicker Greg Laidlaw was proving just as good off the kicking tee, landing three penalties of his own, as well as a conversion to Olly Thorley's debut try.

"To be fair to them they played really well and had nothing to lose, which is always a dangerous prospect in a side," said Slade. "We knew it was going to be a tough ask with the weather, but I am just mainly frustrated.

"We didn’t respond well (from the Wasps defeat) in terms of the result, but in terms of the performance, the intensity was there and the effort was top-notch from the boys.

"It was just a couple of little things – ill-discipline, a couple of knock-ons, getting turned over on the line a couple of times – that are killing us at the minute. But if we can sharpen up on those in training, then we can take control of both of the last two games."