Sweeney sets his sights high

By Mark Stevens

Ceri Sweeney insists the Exeter Chiefs will be setting their sights high when the new 2013/14 campaign gets underway in early September at Franklin's Gardens.

The Welshman is one of a handful of new recruits that head coach Rob Baxter has introduced into his squad at Sandy Park during the summer months - and already the 33-year-old
fly-half says he is settling in well to his new surroundings.

"It's been great so far," said Sweeney. "The boys have welcomed me with open arms and I'm really enjoying life down here in Devon."

Having spent all of his career playing in Wales with the likes of Cardiff Blues, Newport-Gwent Dragons and the former Celtic Warriors, Sweeney says the chance to test himself in a
new environment outside of the Principality was something he was keen to savour.

"I've been watching Exeter over the last couple of years and I like the brand of rugby they play," added Sweeney, who has been capped 35 times by Wales. "You could see straight
away they were a club that were going places, so when Rob made the call I suppose it was a fairly easy decision to come down here and play.

"I've spent all of my career playing in Wales, but I wanted to try something different. I know playing in the Premiership will be very tough; it's a bit more physical than other divisions and
they base a lot of things around the forwards. That said, the type of game Exeter play is very good and involves a lot of running rugby, so I can't wait to get stuck in."

The Chiefs have shown since their elevation into English rugby's top tier in 2010 that they are able to compete with not only the best club sides in the Premiership, but also in Europe
where they have lined up alongside the likes of Clermont Auvergne, Leinster, Scarlets, Montpellier and Perpignan in recent years.

Now Sweeney says the Chiefs must look to push on and says the forthcoming season offers them the perfect opportunity to once again showcase their credentials.

"I think Exeter have made their mark and established themselves as a top side over the last few seasons, but now we want to push on further," he said. "We don't want to be happy just
to be in that top six, the aim this year has to be to try and push for the top four and maybe try and win something."

And Sweeney says the depth and quality of the Chiefs squad - in which he faces a battle for the No.10 shirt alongside Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade - will be vitally important in their quest to achieve that very aim.

"If you're looking to build a quality squad and a quality team, you need good players and good competition all over," said the Glyncoch-born back. "If you look at my position, I think there is a good balance between the three of us. Gareth and I have the experience and Henry is coming through and a great prospect, so it should be a good battle between us all."

The Chiefs kick-off their pre-season programme on August 17 with a trip to the Scarlets, before then entertaining Bristol (August 24) and Glasgow Warriors (August 31). Exeter's top flight campaign begins a week later (Sept 7) with a trip to Northampton Saints.