Innard hoping history repeats itself

By Mark Stevens
18/3/23

Jack Innard is hoping history repeats itself when he lines up for Exeter Chiefs in today’s Premiership Rugby Cup final against London Irish at the Gtech Community Stadium (2pm).

The Cornish-born hooker is no stranger to this competition, having scored twice the last time the Devonians reached the final against Bath in 2018.

Now, the 27-year-old is hoping to repeat the feat again as he skippers a youthful side into battle against the Exiles.

Recalling the clash five years ago at Kingsholm, which needed to be re-arranged due to snow, Innard said: “It was a muddy pitch and a hard slog. The match didn’t go ahead initially because of snow, but when we did eventually get to play I was lucky enough to score a couple of tries.”

As one of the more senior stars in the Chiefs side that have tackled the Cup this season, Innard has led from the front as Ricky Pellow’s side oversaw Westcountry rivals Bristol Bears, Gloucester and Bath in the pool stages, before downing Sale Sharks 46-3 in the semi-finals.

“We said before our first match at Bristol that we wanted to win this competition,” said Innard. “We have developed as a team and we are raring to go. It is a chance to impress the coaches at a time when the club is fighting on three fronts.

“We are building nicely and have been working on a few things. The league table is tight in a season that has been exciting for the neutral because it has been hard to pick winners and there is a lot to play for.

“Irish play a good brand of rugby and we are going to have be on it for the whole 80 minutes. They chuck the ball around, but they also have a good set-piece. Also, they will have the crowd behind them, but I don’t think that will be a big factor. We have to keep their fans quiet and it is about us making the most of the occasion and not leaving anything to chance.

“We have fantastic youngsters coming through and the Prem Cup has always been a stepping stone here. The likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Sam Simmonds, Luke Cowan-Dickie, they all came through and there is no reason why this current crop can’t follow suit.”

The Chiefs have an impressive record against Irish in all competitions, winning 14 of the 21 matches between the two sides over the years.

“We know we are going to have to be at our best to beat them,” added Innard. “We have been focusing on ourselves and we have progressed each game in this competition. Personally, I have enjoyed leading the side. We have a number of players leaving at the end of the season and we want to make sure they go out on a high.”