Chiefs squad for JP Morgan 7s

By Mark Stevens

Ricky Pellow believes the standard of the JP Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s is rising each year and is expecting another top tournament when it officially gets underway this Thursday at Gloucester's Kingsholm Stadium.

The Exeter Chiefs skills coach will again be in charge of the Devon club as they take part in the opening round of the competition against hosts Gloucester, Bath and Worcester Warriors.

And ahead of the big kick-off, Pellow insists the Chiefs view the competition as a key pre-season tool and will look to use this week's games as the foundation stones for what they hope will be another big year for the club.

“When we first arrived in the Premiership it was a good stepping stone for us and this year will be no different,” he said. “We have taken it a little more seriously in terms of preparation. We are probably better prepared than in previous years.

“The first one was a big one for us, coming up into the Premiership. Now we use it as a chance to make a statement and it's a good opportunity for us to put a marker down as a club, so we are going to work very hard to make that happen.”

With the club buoyed by some impressive displays during the summer from it's England Under-20s contingent at the Junior World Championships in France, the Chiefs will again look to it's younger ranks to fly the flag at Gloucester.

Sam Blanchet, Luke Treharne, Rob Coote and Jack Arnott are all survivors of last season's Sevens squad, whilst the highly-rated Stuart Townsend and Ben Vellacott have also been added to the mix.

Rob Langley, who was released by Gloucester's Academy at the end of last season, gets the chance for a swift return to his former club, whilst also named in the Exeter party is Ali Chisholm, the younger brother of Harlequins flyer Ross Chisholm.

Pellow, himself a keen Sevens player, likes the make-up of the Chiefs squad which he believes will challenge the very best the competition has to offer.

He added: "Last year at Gloucester the atmosphere was brilliant and sums up how the tournament has grown. There were four or five teams really going at it and the 7s that was played was absolutely outstanding.

"We're really pleased with the make-up of our squad for this year's tournament. Although there are a few young guys in there, several of them have played at this level - or above - for and they know what to expect.

"As I said, we've done a lot of work already getting these guys up to speed and we're hopefully that they can put in some big performances up at Gloucester. I think it's a good competition because whatever side you put out it’s going to be a good day for your club. I think it’s a great tournament.”
EXETER CHIEFS SQUAD

1 Sam Blanchet
2 Stuart Townsend
3 Chris Elder
4 Ben Vellacott
5 Luke Treharne
6 Rob Coote
7 Jack Arnott
8 Rob Langley
9 Tom Dowding
10 Ali Chisholm
11 Jamie Forrester
12 Ollie Claxton