Chiefs Women to face Bears
By Harry Scott-Munro
20/5/22
If last weekend was the appetiser, then Sunday’s main course has the potential to be spectacular.
Just eight days on from their full-blooded Round 18 encounter at Sandy Park, Exeter Chiefs will face Westcountry rivals Bristol Bears again, this time with a place in the Allianz Premier 15s final up for grabs (4.30pm).
In a strange twist of fate, results on the final day mean that Susie Appleby’s side will again lock horns with their nearest and dearest - with Appleby admitting that the scenario has made for ‘a bit of a funny week.’
“They will have learnt where they think we are vulnerable, but we have done the same,” she mused. “We know that we need to play our game and really go at them. If we don’t do that, then there’s a risk because they are a really good side. The message this week though has been to just be ourselves.”
The Chiefs lead the head-to-head between the two sides this season, and with the Allianz Cup semi-final victory over the Bears, as well as last weekend’s nail-biter still fresh in the memory, Appleby’s side know that they can turn in a performance against their rivals when they need it most.
This has been the most competitive season to date in the Allianz Premier 15s, with the final standings meaning that for the first time in the Premier 15s era, a side other than Harlequins or Saracens will be in the final. Appleby praised the ambition within the league and also noted the fact that regardless of results in each semi-final, it will be Westcountry versus London in the final.
“Everyone is very well coached and there’s a lot of ambition. Everyone wants to play, and everyone is getting better. So, the fact that there will be a team from the Westcountry in the final is brilliant. We want that to be us, but it will be the Westcountry versus London whatever happens.”
It took until the penultimate round of the season to determine the top four in the league and until the last minute of the regular season for the play-off picture to become clear. Appleby feels that with so many high-class players within the Premier 15s, this season was always going to be a competitive one.
She added: “This season has been incredibly competitive. It went down to the weekend before last to determine who would be in the top four. There were six teams in it prior to that, with others knocking on the door as well. We went up to Quins and beat the champions earlier in the season and there were also lots of really topsy-turvy results, but that’s because there are so many top-quality players playing in this league.”
Whilst making the play-offs for the first time is an incredible achievement for a club in just their second season, Appleby and her side are on the precipice of a shot at an historic double. She and her players aren’t resting on their laurels though and want to make sure that the standard they have set this season continues going forward.
“We made the top four, and we ended up coming second, which is great," continued Appleby. "We’re really happy but we’re not going to settle for that, we want the rest now. We have to make sure that this is consistent and that finishing second in the league is not a freak one-off. We’re here to grow and make sure that people are attracted to us”
It has by no means been an easy ride for Appleby and her side throughout the season, as they have had to battle through injuries and results that they felt had slipped away, before making their charge to second place. Appleby admits that it has been a season of learning for all involved in the club, but it is clear that those lessons have driven a whole squad effort to this point thus far.
“We’ve got a squad of fifty players who are all young and keen. We’ve picked up some injuries to players who can’t be with us for the final bit of the journey, but it’s been a huge squad effort,” she highlighted. “There’s been loads of learnings for us as players and staff. There’s been lots of involvement from the men’s coaches and we’re still developing. We’re only in season two, so I’m really excited by this club and the future.”
Amongst several standouts performances this season, the 54-12 dismantling of Saracens was one that really made the rest of the league stand up and take notice. Appleby acknowledged that the Londoners ‘weren’t the Saracens we know’ on that sunny Devon afternoon but felt that it was still a critical result for her side, backed up by last weekend’s narrow victory over the Bears.
“Sarries was a bit of a shock. They came and they had secured their home advantage for the semi-final. I don’t know what attitude they bought with them, but they weren’t the Saracens we know they can be. We were still really pleased to get that result and then last week was absolutely critical for us.”
That game against the Bears last Saturday ebbed and flowed throughout, with Appleby describing the contest as ‘a war of attrition.’ For her side though, being able to secure a result was critical and Appleby is expecting a similarly full-blooded battle on Sunday afternoon.
“We were in a game from minute one to minute eighty. That’s how long it took to win the game and it was crucial that we got the win and the home advantage. I’m absolutely expecting more of the same come Sunday.”
Very few of Appleby’s side have been in a Premiership semi-final before, but the Head Coach is curious as to how her side will react to the pressure - and she was resolute in her belief that they would turn in a clinical performance, noting the bonds within the group as a significant factor.
“We haven’t been in a semi-final of this magnitude before, so I’m interested to see how the squad reacts but I’m confident that we will react really well. We want to enjoy each other’s company both on and off the field and put in a really good performance on Sunday.”
Ahead of kick-off Appleby has made three changes to the match-day 23, with one coming in the starting XV. After returning from captaining her country during the TikTok Six Nations, Ireland’s Nichola Fryday returns to the second row, with McKinley Hunt reverting to the bench as front row cover, having played there several times this season. The move comes off the back of last weekend’s late red card for Spaniard Laura Delgado, which has seen the prop forward suspended for the rest of the season.
Elsewhere amongst the replacements, Gabby Senft comes into the side, whilst flyhalf Megan Foster also returns to the matchday squad.
Last weekend against the Bears saw the Chiefs secure the result they needed in front of a record Sandy Park crowd. Appleby praised the fans for the belief they have given her side and called on them to turn up in their droves on Sunday, to roar her side on one final time at home this season.
“We had over 2,500 last week, who were really vocal. They were absolutely fantastic. We want to keep saying thank you for coming and please come back again. We love having you here and the players love it because the fans are right there with them. I’m hoping that lots of people come this weekend and hopefully we can give them a performance.”
With thoughts swiftly returning to the action on the field though, Appleby only had three words to describe what could swing the match in her side’s favour: “Win the breakdown.”
“We’re really excited,” she smiled. “But if we get all those bits right, we’re going to continue to grow.”
