TJ ready for battle

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs forward Tom Johnson says he and his team-mates are already bracing themselves for a "huge test" when they returned to Heineken Cup action this weekend away to Clermont Auvergne.

Just days after surrendering their unbeaten home record in the Aviva Premiership to Northampton Saints, Rob Baxter's side will head across the English Channel for their latest assignment against the star-studded Pool 5 leaders at the Stade Marcel Michelin on Saturday (7pm CET).

Before Saturday's 30-19 loss to the Saints, the French giants had been the only side to have toppled the Chiefs on home soil this season and Johnson is aware the threat they will bring to this weekend's encounter.

"It's another huge test for us," said the England international. "Clermont are a great side, as they showed when they came here, and at home they have made themselves a real fortress.

"We'll focus hard on them this week and we look to enjoy the experience of playing against one of the best club sides in Europe."

Although disappointed to lose to the Saints, the 30-year-old forward insists the mood within the Chiefs camp remains upbeat and they are determined to make the most of forthcoming Cup encounters to get themselves back on track.

"Obviously we were disappointed to lose at the weekend, but at the same time we gave it a real go; we played some good stuff and a lot of the boys enjoyed the rugby we were playing," said Johnson.

"As always our endeavour and our work-rate was there, but it was a few penalties and a few crucial turnovers on the front foot that cost us in the end. At the same time, we also came up against a good Saints team who played some high pressure rugby against us."

The loss saw the Chiefs consolidate seventh spot in the Premiership standings, six points adrift of the final play-off spot which is currently occupied by London Wasps following their home win over Bath.

However, Johnson insists the Chiefs will look to get their league campaign back on track when its resume against basement club Sale Sharks next month.

"The table is very tight at the moment," added Johnson. "Sale will be another huge game for us, especially as we haven't not won in our last three league games, but we've got four big cup games to focus on before then and hopefully we can discover some real good form before then to take into that game."