Chudley out to build on Saints display

By Mark Stevens
29/12/17

Will Chudley insists Exeter Chiefs must continue to build on their position at the top of the Aviva Premiership heading into the New Year.

With the reigning champions set to bring the curtain down on a memorable 2017 against Leicester Tigers on Sunday, the Exeter scrum-half is hoping he and his team-mates can wrap things up for the year with another powerful display.

Buoyed by last weekend’s 35-14 win on the road at Northampton, a game in which Chudley marked his first league start of the season with a try, the Chiefs will be looking to at least consolidate their ten-point buffer over Saracens at the summit.

Speaking in the aftermath of his side’s victory at Franklin’s Gardens, the 29-year-old said: “We don’t have a great record up here, so to get the five points has left us absolutely ecstatic.

It was a very tough game. Their defence was pretty heroic at times and they put a lot of effort and a lot of big hits in.

“They certainly put us under a lot of pressure, but I am happy we managed to come through it. Just after half-time they had some big moments, but we rode them really well. Fair play to Saints, they came out both halves and put a huge amount of effort in it.”

Chudley, however, helped lead from the front for the visitors and it was his opening try, which helped the Chiefs on their way to a key victory. Working off the back of an Exeter scrum, he picked up, dummied Courtney Lawes before chipping over the top of the home defence and winning the subsequent race to the line.

“I knew we had the advantage so it was a quick bit of thinking,” explained Chudley. “I just came up with the little dink and luckily the chip was alright and it bounced up nicely. I was glad it worked and I’ll take a try any day!

“It was my first start in the Prem for a while so to go away from home and get the five points and the win is awesome. It’s always a pleasure to be part of this team.”

Chudley will be hoping his impressive display against the Saints will be rewarded with another start against the Tigers this weekend. However, the battle for the No.9 jersey at Sandy Park is as intense as anything and he knows he must make the most of every opportunity that is afforded to him.

“It’s not just at scrum-half but across the board Rob has loads of options,” added Chudley. “There are boys in every position who can do the job. For me to be able to get a start and get the win is really good, so hopefully going forward I can stay in the mix.

“I know it’s a case of working hard and staying patient, 100 per cent. Professional sport can be pretty brutal at times, but when you get your chance you have to take it.”