Skinner braced for battle
By Mark Stevens
28/9/17
Exeter young gun Sam Skinner says it’s imperative the Chiefs turn up with the ‘right mentality’ when they tackle rivals Leicester Tigers in Saturday’s televised Aviva Premiership clash at Welford Road (3pm).
Fresh from a 31-17 home win over Wasps last weekend, the defending champions will head to the East Midlands abundantly aware of the challenge that lies in front of them.
An away-day against the Tigers in their own den is widely regarded as one of the toughest on the divisional circuit, but having clocked up maximum reward in their past three league fixtures, Rob Baxter’s side will head into the contest not only top of the pile in the Premiership, but also brimming with confidence.
Among those hoping to lead the charge for the visitors will be Exeter-born lock Skinner, who enjoyed an impressive first top flight start against Wasps. Brought into the second row alongside the experienced Mitch Lees, the 22-year-old did not disappoint, producing an eye-catching display that underlined his blossoming potential.
This weekend, however, Skinner and the Chiefs have to do it all again against English rugby’s most decorated club side. The young forward, though, is relishing the challenge and is hopeful he and his team-mates can replicate the kind of showing they produced last term, when they picked up all five points in a 34-15 success.
“It is a big game. We won there last year and we want to back that up this year but it is a real tough fixture and we will have to be on our game,” said Skinner.
“Momentum is a big thing. We had it last year and we want to try and grab hold of it this year. Confidence is high and we are playing good rugby, but it doesn’t really mean anything if we don’t turn up with the right mentality at Leicester.”
The Chiefs showed in their latest victory over Wasps that they are improving by the week and Skinner is keen for more of the same, particularly if he gets another chance to shine from the outset.
“Growing up supporting Exeter Chiefs meant it was a surreal experience for me but I absolutely loved it from minute one to 80,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better result for the team really.
“It was a great result for us to be honest, especially at Sandy Park. Five points at home, you can’t ask for anything more than that. It was important for us. It was a big game in the season and to bang it in early was brilliant.”
It marks the culmination of quite a journey for Skinner, who joined National League Two South side Taunton Titans in a last-gasp bid to end up playing professional rugby. Early on in the 2014/15 campaign, the Chiefs approached the 6ft 5ins forward about joining their academy, and his first team debut soon followed in a 28-27 victory in the LV= Cup against Gloucester in November 2014.
His Premiership debut came in 2015 against Northampton Saints, while he also captained the University of Exeter to BUCS Championship success last year.
Despite Sunday’s fine showing though, Skinner is keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“I can only take it one game at a time,” he said. “It is the classic saying really but it is true. Everybody spoke about the last time we played Wasps in the Premiership final but this was a completely different situation and a different game.
“The energy levels we spoke about were crucial. We wanted to try and blow them away early doors. We wanted to put our mark on them early and I think we did that. The win will give us good confidence going into Leicester on Saturday.”