Chiefs side to face Bath
By Mark Stevens
25/11/22
Gareth Steenson says there is a real sense of excitement amongst the Exeter Chiefs group ahead of tomorrow's Premiership Rugby Cup encounter with Bath at Sandy Park (3pm).
In what is a busy week of action for the Devonians - the Chiefs also face Newcastle Falcons in the Gallagher Premiership tonight - a large percentage of Rob Baxter's playing squad will get their chance to impress in on-field action.
Having kicked off their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign with victory away to Bristol Bears, it's another all-Westcountry affair in their latest match-up. Bath make the short trek down the M5 having lost to both Bristol and Gloucester already in the competition, but the experienced Steenson expects the Blue, Black & Whites to pose a creditable threat come kick-off.
"Whenever you play Bath, you know you're going to be in for a tough afternoon," said Steenson. "The results they have had already are kind of irrelevant, they'll be coming down seeing this as opportunity to get a victory and to play well against us. That said, our guys have been terrific this week. Training has been really good and there is a real buzz about the group.
"Having won up at Bristol in our opening game, it's important we now back them up with another big performance at the weekend. Gloucester have picked up three bonus point wins in their three games so far, so we can't afford any kind of slip-up if we want to get into the semi-finals. That in itself will bring a bit of pressure to the group, but pressure like that can be good as it focuses the mind and you know what you have to do in terms of performance and results."
Like at Ashton Gate, it's another healthy mix of youth and experience within the Chiefs ranks and Steenson is eager to see how the squad performs on home soil.
"It's a good group we've got," he added. "For a few of the boys it's another big opportunity for them to go out and represent Exeter Chiefs. We've seen already how some of those younger fellas who played up at Bristol have now broken into the Premiership side and done very well. It shows that there is a pathway there for them to perform and do well.
"Equally, it's also good for some of those older, more experienced guys to show what they can do. For someone like Aidon Davis, it's his first-ever game for the club, and I know he's chomping at the bit to get out there and play. He's been unlucky getting injured in the second or third week of pre-season, but he's back fit now and we're really looking forward to seeing how he goes at the weekend.
"Others too have the opportunity to go out there and perform. As I said, training this week has been first class and now we want to take that work they've done and put into something tangible on the field."
As well as a first start for South African forward Davis, the Chiefs also hand debuts to former Wasps youngsters Alfie Bell, Greg Fisilau and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, as well as Academy products Iwan Jenkins and Zack Wimbush.
