Chiefs Women to face Saracens
By Mark Stevens
28/4/23
Glory beckons again for the Exeter Chiefs Women as they prepare to make it back-to-back successes in the Allianz Cup this Sunday.
Having won the inaugural crown last season with victory over Harlequins Women, Susie Appleby’s side will be hoping to repeat the feat at Sandy Park this weekend when they tackle rivals Saracens Women (1pm).
Last weekend’s 33-12 win at Bristol Bears in the semi-finals has set the Chiefs up for a mouth-watering clash against the Londoners, who themselves won a tense encounter at the Atlas Arena 22-21.
For Appleby and her team, it’s another huge occasion to savour and she is hoping home comforts again provide the perfect backdrop to what could be yet more silverware for the Devonians.
“We’re all very excited, especially as we’ve not been back at Sandy Park playing for a while now,” said Appleby. “Playing here, that drives a lot of excitement with our girls. Last week up at Bristol, it was brilliant for them to run our and see so many Chiefs fans, it was almost like we were in Exeter!
“Now, though, we have to get ourselves ready again and get stuck in to what will be a tough Sarries side at the weekend.”
In what has been an impressive cup run so far, Appleby highlighted how a number of the club’s up-and-coming youngsters have seized their opportunity to shine on the big stage.
“I think the main thing to emphasise is how well some of our younger players have really stood up and taken their opportunities,” added Appleby. “We knew that Bristol would came at us, particularly at the breakdown, and they did. At 14-12 up at half time, we felt we were okay, but the second half we really sorted ourselves out.
“I thought Flo Robinson and Liv McGoverne controlled the game very well. Our young props Abby (Middlebrooke) and Lizzie (Hanlon) again did very well as did young Dani (Preece) in the centre. Others too, people like Maisy Allen and Nancy McGillivray, these are young players who are really showing what they are made of. And behind them we have Poppy (Leitch) who is like the glue to everything and really brings things together for us.
‘It was, as I said, a good performance and has given the foundations for us to build for what will be another big test again this weekend.”
Appleby knows from past experience that Sarries will be formidable opponents and having watched their clash with Gloucester-Hartpury, she outlined the threat they will pose to her side come kick-off this Sunday.
“Because they played their last Cup game a bit later it’s meant they’ve been able to draft in a few international players, but it is what it is,” said Appleby. “If I’m honest, they bullied Gloucester a bit last week. They had a strong set-piece, which in the end gave them the win. What we have to do is match their physicality, deal with them at the set-piece, whilst at the same time be us, which is express ourselves as Chiefs and make us the team I know we are.
“Because it’s a Cup Final, anything can happen. Of course, we’re hoping we came come away with the win, but we know we have to work hard and we have to be at our best. Having that home advantage will be great, just because our girls will get that buzz and that feeling of our support behind them. We saw it last week up at Bristol and I know it will be even better on Sunday at Sandy Park.”
Team news for the Chiefs sees Appleby make just one change to her starting line-up. Katie Buchanan, who was forced to miss last weekend’s game, returns on the wing with Charlotte Woodman dropping to the bench.
All season ticket holders can gain FREE entry to the game, whilst for all others adults are priced at £10 and Under-16s at £5. Following the game, fans will be able to watch the men’s side in Heineken Champions Cup semi-final action against La Rochelle on the screens inside the West Grandstand.
