Lees sees step up in standard

By Mark Stevens

Mitch Lees may only have been with the Exeter Chiefs for a week or so, but already the Aussie powerhouse can see the step up in standard.

Having helped former club London Welsh to regain their place in the Aviva Premiership with victory over Bristol in the RFU Championship Play-Offs, Lees moved to Sandy Park during the close season as one of seven new signings Rob Baxter has made to his squad.

For Lees, the upcoming campaign represents a first crack at English rugby's top flight and the 25-year-old admits he is "excited" at the challenge that awaits him.

"I'm very excited by the challenge, it's certainly another level up from the Championship to the Premiership," he said. "For me, it's a huge step up again. Already the difference is massive, but you have to look forward to it. You have to keep striving to be better, so if you're not going up, where are you going?"

Equally at home in either the second-row or back-row, Lees will certainly offer a physical presence to the Chiefs pack as they look to again prove their credentials in both domestic and European competition.

Making his mark is something the Sydney-born player is keen to do - and he knows there is no better time to do it than in pre-season itself.

"I'll admit I missed out on last year, so I'm looking forward to this one and getting my goals and passing through them," added Lees. "The first few days weren't too bad, it's was more about getting to know the boys and a bit of testing, but I know it will only get tougher as we move forward.

"As with any pre-season, this is the time where the goals are set and you focus on what is in front of you. By the time pre-season finishes, though, you want to be firing into the season. All the boys want that and so do the coaches, this is where you set the benchmark for where want to be in eight weeks and you have to strive to get there."

Certainly Lees will use the pre-season programme as the ideal platform to show Baxter and his fellow coaches what he has to offer.

"They haven't seen too much of me - of course they watched me a bit to go on and sign me - but they've not seen me live on the field," he continued. "Therefore to train here in front of them is a big step for me and now it's up to me to keep pushing those limits to get in their eyesight and their mindset to hopefully select me for the team."

And part of that initial process will be getting up to speed with the style of play that the Chiefs are ready to unleash this season.

"That's part and parcel of things," added Lees. "It'll take a day or so to learn the calls and what the coaches want you to do, but I guess the big difference between Championship and the Premiership is the speed of play. As has been proved over the years, there are guys in the Championship who are capable of stepping up and the gap is shortening, but to do it you know you have to work hard."