Sweeney set for former club

By Mark Stevens

Ceri Sweeney believes it is only a matter of time before the Exeter Chiefs rediscover their winning formula - and the Welshman hopes it begins with today’s Heineken Cup clash at Cardiff Blues (3.40pm).

The 33-year-old fly-half returns to his former club determined to help the Aviva Premiership side get back on the straight and narrow following a testing block of fixtures that has seen the Chiefs record only one win in their last nine.

Although defeated in at least half of those games by seven points or less, Sweeney insists the mood within the Chiefs camp remains as strong as ever

“It’s never nice when you don’t win games and in a lot of cases it’s only been by a score that we have ended up losing,” said Sweeney. “It’s been our own mistakes, not what other teams are doing to us, that have been the difference. I think if we can iron out those mistakes; build on leads and basically keep pushing forward then I think the results will start to come our way.”

Sweeney swapped life in the Welsh capital after six years for a new start in the Westcountry last summer and although starts have been hard to come by for the experienced Welsh international due to the form of both Gareth Steenson and Henry Slade, the talented playmaker admits he is more than enjoying life at the Chiefs.

“Of course you want to be playing, you’re a rugby player, not a rugby trainer at the end of the day,” he said. “I’ll be honest, I’ve found it a little bit difficult not playing. Although in a way I understand the situation because the other boys have been playing well. I’m not one to go in a corner and sulk, you just have to get on with it and be realistic that the boys have done well. Also young Henry needs to be brought through and he needs time on the pitch and I’m coming towards the end of my career, so it’s a role I don’t mind filling.”

This afternoon, however, Steenson and Slade both start at the Arms Park, whilst Sweeney is named on the bench as the Chiefs look to end their second-ever Heineken Cup campaign on a high. Earlier this season they produced one of their best displays of the campaign when they claimed a bonus point victory over the Welsh region with a 44-29 success at Sandy Park.

This time round, Sweeney expects to face a much tougher challenge from the Blues on their own patch.

He continued: “I think they were very shocked with what happened down here,” he continued. “So much so that one of the coaches lost his job. Since then they’ve reshuffled their coaching structure, the boys that have come in have made an impact and they’ve gone alright in Europe. They’ve not only beat Toulon at home, but they’ve done the double over Glasgow who we lost to twice, so it should be a big challenge for us.

“Also with the Six Nations coming up soon as well, I know that the Wales team tend to base their team selection around what happens in these European games, so I’ve no doubt a few of their boys will be told to play well this weekend and try and cement their place in the team.”

So with the Blues and the Chiefs both determined to hammer out a classic final fixture, Sweeney says the stage is set for both clubs to deliver a telling display.

“I think it will be a good game,” he added. “Both teams like to play fast and attacking rugby and with it being the last game in the group, I think both sides will want to go out and do well. We’ve talked this week that this maybe the last time the Chiefs play in the Heineken Cup because of what is happening, so that’s been a big focus for us because the club have really enjoyed their time over these last two seasons - and going to the Arms Park is a great venue and hopefully a great place to go out on a big one.”