Ewers hails strength in depth

By Jack Miller
20/2/17

Dave Ewers may be tipped for an England call-up in the near future but the back-row forward believes holding down a starting place in the Exeter Chiefs side is his biggest challenge right now.

The 26-year-old has been out for two months with a knee injury and it is not certain when he will return, but the Chiefs have powered on without him – demonstrated by their stylish 48-32 victory at Worcester Warriors last weekend.

Emerging back-rower Sam Simmonds made his Aviva Premiership Rugby debut in the thrilling 35-35 draw with Wasps earlier this month, scoring a try and winning man of the match – highlighting once again how strong the club’s academy is.

Simmonds is the latest player to roll off the Exeter production line, following in the footsteps of England internationals and former Land Rover Discovery of the Season nominees Henry Slade and Jack Nowell.

Ewers believes Simmonds (pictured) could win the award himself this year and, although it increases competition for places, admits it is very promising to see the club continuing its tradition of promoting young players.

“I would say Sam has a good chance after making his debut and playing well, but there are loads of exciting young players coming through. Zach Mercer at Bath has played very well for England Under-20s recently and has really shone this season too,” said Ewers, speaking on behalf of Land Rover, Official Vehicle Partner of Premiership Rugby.

“Sam is another academy guy who has come through the ranks and he got his first start so that was very exciting for him.

“It is fantastic. It is a credit to the club how well the academy system has gone, with the likes of Jack, Henry and Luke Cowan-Dickie all involved in the England set up and they have all come through the academy system.

“Competition for places is only a good thing and it means nobody rests on their laurels and it keeps everyone on their toes. We have a lot of talent in the back row and hopefully when I am back fit I can compete and see where it goes.

“It is going to be good. It is going to be even tougher in the back row next season with Matt Kvesic joining us from Gloucester and Sam coming through. But that is what we need. We will all improve.”

Exeter finished runners-up last season, losing 28-20 to Saracens in the Aviva Premiership Rugby final at Twickenham, but they endured a slow start this term – winning just two of their first seven league games.

But Rob Baxter’s men have turned it around and are arguably the form team in the league right now, winning six of their last eight league matches.

And Ewers admits they have another play-off push in their sights as they try to right the wrongs of last season and go one further by lifting the trophy.

“The top four is our main goal, but we are quite ambitious and to have a home semi-final would be massive for the club,” he said. “I love playing at Sandy Park and the crowd are always excellent so it gives us a big advantage.

“I have to pinch myself sometimes that we actually got into the final last year but I think we are way better off for the experience. But it has brought a lot more hunger to the boys this season because we all want to experience it again. We have come through from the Championship and there were massive games there, but a final at Twickenham is huge. Barring the international boys, none of us have experienced that sort of atmosphere or occasion so it has given us the hunger to get back there.”

Land Rover is Official Vehicle Partner of Premiership Rugby. Land Rover’s ‘We Deal in Real’ campaign continues to champion grassroots rugby through the Land Rover Premiership Rugby Cup. @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal.