Chiefs side to face Loughborough
By James Fowler
9/12/22
Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby said that last weekend’s 62-18 thrashing of the Worcester Warriors in the Allianz Premier 15s was ‘a proper kickstart’ for her side.
The Chiefs who have now recorded back-to-back victories following the opening round loss to Gloucester-Hartpury, look to be back to their very best, and Appleby was keen to sing the praises of her side following last weekend’s excellent performance against Worcester.
“Worcester are not a poor side, but we played well which is always pleasing,” said Appleby. “It wasn’t perfect, but we put some good stuff together and therefore we were able to really impose ourselves on Worcester and we came out with a good result.
“Our defence has been quite standout for us, but our attack really started to come together, so we’re pleased with that. We are, however, under no illusions, this is a really tough league and we’ve got a tough couple of weeks coming.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against Loughborough Lightning (12.30pm), which will be played at the home of the Northampton Saints, Franklin’s Gardens, Appleby outlined the threats Loughborough will pose, having come unstuck against the same opponents last season.
“They’re a really good side. They’ve got players returning much like us. They’re working out how to integrate them. Sadia Kabeya is one of those, she’s a phenomenal player, and she’s back in a starting shirt this weekend, which will really galvanise them.
“We expect real physicality from those guys, they’ve got a very good set-piece, very physical and they don’t stop. We got to 65 minutes last year and we should have done enough to win the game and we hadn’t, they just kept going. We need to prepare for 80 minutes plus and be ready for what’s coming which is going to be a big physical encounter.”
With all the Chiefs World Cup players having returned to training, Appleby was keen to eulogise about the embarrassment of riches she now has at her disposal, which includes Red Roses star Claudia MacDonald, who will be making her first appearance for the club tomorrow.
“Lizzie Hanlon who’s been playing at tight-head is a young player coming out of university and doing really well. DaLeaka (Menin) is back in which is brilliant, but Charlie Jacoby is also in and there’s a big competition for that tight-head shirt, so that the cornerstone of your team.
“Getting Claudia (MacDonald) involved for the first time is obviously incredibly exciting, I’m excited to see what she does. Kate (Zackary) is having a repeat performance in the centre field because she’s world class and she can pretty much do it anywhere.
“Robyn (Wilkins) is finding her feet, she’s been coming off the bench, and of course Hope (Rogers) coming back in at loosehead is huge for us.”
Appleby didn’t stop there, adding: “Rachel (Johnson) is going to have her first start for the season. Maisy (Allen) and Ebony (Jefferies) have been very impressive. Ebony really needed to work on her D (defence), and she has. Maisy’s just been consistently very good across the Allianz Cup and into the league, so that back-row area is incredibly competitive. Edel McMahon has come back to fitness, but we can’t get her in at the moment.
“The invitation is to train well and to play well and you’ll have a chance of staying in the shirt, and they’re embracing that, they’re embracing the competition. But I’m really pleased for those young players. We set out from the off in the summer to really invest in players like Maisy (Allen), Nancy (McGillivray), Ebony (Jefferies), Flo (Robinson), because they’re going to be our future in five years’ time.”
The Chiefs remarkably have three players (Merryn Doidge, Ebony Jefferies and captain Poppy Leitch) who will be making their 50th appearance for the club this weekend. Having been at the club since its inception, Appleby quite understandably spoke very highly of the contribution these players have made.
“Poppy (Leitch) is immense, she’s captain of the team, she’s also leading the Uni (Exeter University RFC), she’s doing this she’s doing that, she’s doing everything. She wasn’t sure when we first started, but then she quickly thought actually I fancy a bit of that, so she’s been amazing and continues to be amazing and lead from the front.
“I’ve already touched on Ebony who has really grown into the Chiefs shirt, and of course Merryn, she was at the Commonwealth Games last summer which is just amazing. The fact it’s three local players that are coming of age all on the same day is just brilliant. There’s more in behind them, but those three leading the way is just phenomenal.”
