Foster keen to kick on

Exeter Chiefs wing Mark Foster admits he well and truly has the taste for it again after getting back amongst the tries against London Welsh at the weekend.

With the Chiefs having Heineken Cup duties to add to the Aviva Premiership this season, Rob Baxter took the opportunity to mix and match against the Exiles, opting for a much-changed starting XV with a mix of youth and experience.

And his fringe players clearly enjoyed the chance to strut their stuff as they convincingly put the Aviva Premiership new-boys to the sword, running out 42-15 victors.

No one more so than Foster who marked a return to the Exeter No.11 shirt with a second-half try.

Foster has featured just once this season in the Aviva Premiership - a 16-minute cameo against Saracens - but having crossed the whitewash against London Welsh he is hoping that changes sooner rather than later.

"The LV= Cup is a great opportunity for players who aren't playing as much as they would like to put their hand up and show what they can do and I think a lot did that against London Welsh," said Foster, who tomorrow lines-up for the Chiefs in their latest encounter at the Ospreys at Sandy Park (5pm).

"I would class myself in that category of players that would like to be playing more and it was good to get a run out. It is always fantastic to get back to scoring tries as a winger because that is what we love to do and I was delighted to be put away in the corner and to get back on the scoresheet.

"Everyone here at the club knows it is not just about the starting XV but about the whole squad and we all know that we will be needed to step into the breach when called upon and we need to be ready. Hopefully I showed a little of what I can do and the coaches will trust me when it comes to throwing me on in the Premiership but in the mean time I will continue to push the other guys as it is strength and depth in a squad that counts come the end of the season."

Many onlookers were surprised by the margin of victory the Chiefs managed against London Welsh with a much-changed side. But Foster insists it is just the club proving its maturity as Aviva Premiership stalwarts nowadays.

"The win was particularly pleasing because London Welsh put out a side similar to the Premiership and we made lots of changes," he added. "When you look at clubs that do well it is because they have strength and depth and I think everyone can see that we have that now at Exeter. We have matured as a club having spent three years in the Premiership now and we believe we have a squad that can compete on many levels."