Fryday looking to build on Cup win

By James Fowler
21/10/22

Exeter Chiefs Women’s forward Nichola Fryday says the Chiefs must use last week’s last-gasp victory over Gloucester-Hartpury as the springboard to attack Harlequins in their latest Allianz Cup fixture against Harlequins on Sunday (3pm).

Susie Appleby’s side struck late at the ALPAS Arena to secure a 24-20 victory and keep themselves firmly in the hunt for the defence of their Cup crown.

Scores from Maisy Allen and Clara Nielson proved decisive in the final ten minutes and ensured the Chiefs were able to bounce back from their home loss to Worcester Warriors last time out.

Fryday – who is the current captain of Ireland – felt the victory highlighted the character within this young squad.

“It was hugely important for us,” she said. “We had come off a tough loss against Worcester and for us it was a really important match that we went up to Gloucester and got the result that we wanted and that we knew we could get.

“It was an extremely tough match and it was only in that last five minutes that we got that win. However, it showed the character I suppose within the squad. It’s a young squad that were able to grind out the win and it was a really important win for us.”

The hard work put in during pre-season seems to be paying dividends for this Chiefs side and it is not something which has escaped the Irish captains notice.

“The girls have been training since July and coming back into it you can see all the work that they’ve done,” added Fryday. “For us, it was about making sure we get those wins on the pitch and I suppose we didn’t show that in the last few minutes of that Worcester match, so to be able to go and show what we’re about up in Gloucester like that was really important to us and it was a testament I suppose to all the hard work they’ve done over the summer.”

Fryday went onto talk about how important these Allianz Cup games have been for the younger members of the squad to show what they can do, with so many of the Chiefs international stars being away at the World Cup.

“This is really good exposure this Cup. Girls have gotten invaluable game time and have gotten their chance to put their hand up whilst the internationals are away.

These matches have been really important for us, and I think the game time people are getting is really good.”

Looking ahead to the Harlequins game, Fryday continued “We know that they’re not going to come here and not bring a tough match to us. They’re going to be strong in the pack and they have some quality backs as well.

“For us it’s about I suppose our game and imposing what we’ve been working on over the last few weeks and making sure we execute. We want to make sure that we keep Sandy Park our fortress again this year, so this match is really important for us again.”

Running out in front of a home Sandy Park crowd is something Fryday and the rest of the Chiefs squad are massively excited about heading into the Harlequins game and the experienced lock was full of praise for the Chiefs fanbase.

“It’s such an atmosphere playing here at Sandy Park. You have thousands of people at a club match for me that’s huge. I think girls getting to experience that a few weeks ago they realised what a proper fan base is, and it’s really exciting to get back out here again on Sunday in front of them.”