Woodburn targets rapid response

By Howard Lloyd
11/2/16

Olly Woodburn wants Exeter Chiefs to prove their character and resilience by bouncing back with a victory over Sale Sharks on Saturday.

The Chiefs saw their 13-month unbeaten home record on Sunday as champions Saracens edged a tight top-of-the-table clash 14-11 at Sandy Park.

Now Devon’s finest face something of a role reversal this weekend as they travel to the AJ Bell Stadium, where Sale have not lost in their last nine games.

After every defeat so far this season, Rob Baxter's men have managed to respond with a victory, and Woodburn wants to repeat that trend on Saturday to prove Exeter's top-four credentials.

"If you look at our losses this season we have always come back and responded well, and that's what we need to do this weekend," said the 24-year-old winger.

"That is the character you need if you are to stay at the top of the table – you can't dwell on losses, you need to draw the positives from them and take them into the next game.

"We just need to try and get back on the horse and hit this weekend with all we have got. Sale are on a good run of form and very strong at home so I think we can put a statement down. We want to just go up there and take our game to them, force it on them, give them all we have got and come out with a win."

Steve Diamond's men are one of the form teams in the Aviva Premiership, winning their last five games in all competitions since a 33-17 Boxing Day reverse at Sandy Park.

They also boast the third-tightest defence in the division in terms of points conceded. But it is their home record which has really caught the eye, with victories over the likes of Northampton, Pau, Castres and Wasps coming in their nine-game winning run in Salford.

Woodburn revealed that spoiling the Sharks' home record was a further source of motivation for the team, but with Exe having lost twice and winning just once at the AJ Bell Stadium, doing just that will be no mean feat.

The winger added: "I think knowing the other team has a strong home record does play a part. We are all very competitive here and when you here about a team having a strong home record, you want to upset them.

"We won't get too emotional about it but it does make it more of a challenge – and we love to rise to a challenge."

Following his summer move from Bath, Woodburn has embraced the task of securing a spot in the Chiefs starting XV.

After initially struggling to claim a starting spot – the Keynsham-born back's first start was against Bordeaux-Bègles in November – he has now started the Chiefs' last six matches.

And having left the Rec to secure more game time, Woodburn feels his decision has been vindicated.

"I feel I'm proving not only to Bath but also myself and my colleagues that I am good enough to hold down a regular Premiership spot," he said. "I am doing that and I want to continue doing that and then hopefully bigger things may come if I can keep up my form."

"It's going great. I’ve had a really long spell of games now – probably my longest spell in the Premiership in a while. I came to Exeter ready to work hard for my place and I have done that and I am now enjoying it."