Budgie still going strong

Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

 

By Mark Stevens

He may be the Aviva Premiership's eldest statesman, but age is clearly no barrier for Exeter Chiefs prop Chris Budgen as he continues to make his mark in English rugby's top flight.

At 39 years of age, Budgen has to all extents "been there and done it" during a distinguished playing

career which has seen him feature for not only the Chiefs, but a number of other established clubs sides such as Northampton Saints, Birmingham-Solihull and Bridgend.

A master in the finer arts of the front-row, the New Zealand-born forward is not only a valuable asset upon who Exeter head coach Rob Baxter can call, but his destructive scrummaging ability and his timely knack of picking up the odd try or two have made him a popular figure amongst rugby followers across the country.

Now into his fifth season at Sandy Park, Budgen - who combines life as a professional rugby player with that of serving as a Lance Corporal in the British Army - again showed his worth to the Exeter cause in last weekend's opening day win over Sale Sharks, popping up with the Chiefs' final try in their 43-6 victory.

His touchdown - an 18th in Exeter's colours - was indeed the icing on the cake for Baxter's side, who this Saturday make the trip to Budgen's old stomping ground at Franklin's Gardens, where Northampton Saints lie in wait following their own opening day win away to Gloucester.

Budgen knows better than most the threat posed by the East Midlanders, particularly on their own turf, and has warned the Chiefs will need to be on top of their game if they are to come away with any significant reward from their travels.

"We're excited about the game, especially after last weekend against Sale," said Budgen. "We had a good start and we came away with some good tries, so we're in a good place at the moment.

"Going to Northampton, though, will be a much tougher proposition. It's a tough old ground to go too, it's like a fortress there and they have a very good home record. The Saints had a good start last week against Gloucester and their supporters are like a 24th man for them because they are so supportive and so vocal. They really do get behind their team up there."

And whilst Budgen is poised to return to his former club in Exeter colours, the man affectionately known as 'Chicken' remains as ever popular with the Saints faithful.

"I left there up on good terms and I've got some good moments and highlights of my time playing for the Saints," he added. "It's always nice to go back there and play and catch up with one or two of the old supporters."

However, for 80 minutes this weekend Budgen's mission will be to help the Chiefs in their quest to add to that opening day win over the Sharks.

"We took a lot of positives from that game," he said. "As a group we worked hard in the off season, so it was nice to get a good start and it sets us up nicely for what we hope will be a good season. This first block of fixtures is very tough, so we know if we don't get it right at Northampton on the weekend, they'll give us a bit of lesson. Saying that, we'll go there with confidence, hopefully the right game plan and see what we can come away with."