Dennis says Chiefs are primed for battle
By Mark Stevens
14/2/19
Dave Dennis believes having the sole focus of attacking the Gallagher Premiership will work in the favour of the Exeter Chiefs as they push for honours this season.
Having exited out of both the Heineken Champions Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup in recent weeks, Rob Baxter's table-toppers know it's purely the top flight that will occupy their thoughts between now and June.
Over a month has passed since they last ran out in the Premiership, that day that defeated Bristol Bears at Sandy Park 14-9 to extend their lead at the summit to four points over Saracens, but tomorrow they will resume action with a testing trip to rivals Gloucester (7:45pm).
In what is the first of three away days in the next four for the Chiefs, Aussie international Dennis is clearly relishing the battles that lie ahead.
"We've had a couple of run-ins with Gloucester already this season, a couple have gone our way, and they won the other in Europe, which was a tough result to take," said Dennis. "Now, we're back into the Premiership again and we're excited to go again.
"Our last couple of outings, even though we lost in Munster, and then we beat Bristol in the Prem Cup, there have been lots of positives and plenty of the squad have had a good amount of game time.
"As a group we're excited not only about Friday, but also these next few weeks. It's always a great atmosphere up at Kingsholm, there will be a bit of a buzz around the ground because it's a night game, and it will be a good match-up between two tough teams.
"Yes, we're disappointed we've dropped out of the two cup competitions, but at the same time it now gives us that focus to just look purely at the Premiership. We've got a big, four-week block coming up, three of which are away from home, but it's an exciting period for us."
With the Chiefs clear at the top on 51 points, then Saracens on 47 points, it's the battle behind the leading two that is proving the key talking point across the division. Harlequins currently sit third with 33 points, but that is just seven clear of ninth-placed Northampton Saints.
"It's a tough division," explained the 33-year-old. "Every team is strong and any team can turn up and perform on the day. Where we try to make a difference is finding that consistency to string results together week after week. If you can do that, then you're going to be in and around that top end."
So far the Chiefs have managed to achieve that feat nicely, winning 10 of their 12 games to date, but Dennis insists there can be no let-off despite their lofty position.
"We know we're a prized scalp for other teams," he said. "Whenever you are successful, others want to knock you off your perch. That said, it does keep you focused and on your toes. We know we can't afford to take our foot off the gas, because the moment you do that, that's when you will get done!"