Discipline will be key - Aly

By Mark Stevens

Like any game of rugby discipline is key, but Exeter Chiefs forward Aly Muldowney says the threat of Worcester's prolific points-scorer, Andy Goode, should act as a timely warning to the Devon club.

This afternoon the Chiefs will welcome visiting Worcester Warriors to Sandy Park (3pm) looking to get their season back on track following back-to-back Heineken Cup defeats against Leinster and Clermont Auvergne, plus last weekend's Aviva Premiership loss at local rivals Bath.

In what has been a testing block of fixtures for Rob Baxter's side, Muldowney - who is one of four changes made to the Exeter starting XV for today's game - hopes a return to home comforts will be significant as the Chiefs bid to bounce back to winning ways.

Certainly the Chiefs have shown impressive form on home turf this season, seeing off Sale Sharks, Saracens and defending champions Harlequins in their opening three Premiership encounters. And today they hope to add the scalp of the Warriors to that impressive list.

For that to happen, however, the Chiefs know they will have to produce another powerful and disciplined display against the Midlanders.

“We know what to expect from Worcester, they are a big, physical side,” said Muldowney, who will partner skipper Tom Hayes in the Exeter engine room. “They are trying to prove a point this year as well. We know it will be a tough encounter. We must not get away from what got us those previous wins at home, either.

“It was the momentum, the tempo and getting straight after games from the start. We can’t just sit back and think playing at home will get us a win. Discipline is key in any game, but especially when you are playing against someone with the range of their fly-half Andy Goode. There are no areas of the field where you can give away silly penalties. If he is not knocking you 40 or 50 yards down the field, he is taking shots at goal and scoring points.”

But as well as keeping a disciplined approach, the Chiefs will also need to ensure they come flying out of the traps once kick-off arrives. A week ago Baxter's side paid the price for a slow start at Bath's Recreation Ground and Muldowney says Exeter are desperate to ensure there is no repeat performance.

“It was disappointing at first but it is something we have moved on from,” said the former Glasgow and Moseley forward. “We have to give Bath some credit as well. We didn’t have the best first half but had a chat at half-time and knew what we needed to do.

“We did it well, but maybe it was too little, too late. We were not clinical at the right stages. It is a good sign that margins against us have been small lately. We’re looking at these close games and thinking it is only one thing, in terms of momentum, that changed the results. All the focus is now on this week and it has been a really positive training week and we are ready for Saturday.”