Votu's finally up and running

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs supporters are likely to get their first glimpse of Fijian flyer Watisoni Votu in competitive action when the Devon club prepare to tackle Bath in the LV= Cup later this month.

After months of protracted paperwork to finally bring the talented 27-year-old to Sandy Park, head coach Rob Baxter admits it is somewhat of a relief to have finally got his man ready to play some rugby.

"It seems everything is finally good to go," said Baxter. "It has taken a while to get everything sorted, but now we're looking to getting him up and running probably in the upcoming LV games and see where he goes from there."

Votu has been training with the Chiefs for several weeks following his involvement with the Fijian national squad, but he has been unable to be fully registered for the Aviva Premiership club until his international clearance had been received.

That has now been completed and Baxter is clearly keen to get the Lautoka-born back up and running.

"In some ways the delay will probably have done him some good as he has been able to spend more time training with us," said the Exeter coach. "He's now a bit more settled in; we've got his base fitness to where we want it to be; and he's been in a nice relaxed environment and got to know a few of the guys and more about the club.

"Am I relieved he's finally here? Of course I am, just because we've wanted to have a good look at the guy for some time.

"In some ways it's been more of a shame for him rather than the club itself, simply because we've had fit players available and we've not been desperate to get a winger out on the pitch. Had we have got him here earlier in the season, then maybe he would have played some A League and LV= Cup games, even potentially had the odd Premiership game.

"Sadly that's not been the case for him, but these next few weeks should offer him a great opportunity to play some rugby and develop as a player."