'We're up for the fight' - Sweeney

Fly-half Ceri Sweeney has warned that Exeter Chiefs are not ready to relinquish their LV= Cup title without a fight after booking a spot in Sunday’s final.

The Anglo-Welsh cup holders defeated Leicester Tigers 30-22 in a tense semi-final on Sunday at Welford Road, thanks in part to 15 points from the boot of Sweeney.

They will take on Saracens at Northampton’s Franklin’s Gardens on Sunday after Mark McCall’s side defeated the Saints 24-20 on Saturday.

“I think we are very proud that we won it last year and we have certainly gone out this year to defend it,” said 35-year-old Sweeney. "The group of players that have gone out there at Leicester – and in previous games – have really bought into it and hopefully we can go one better again next weekend.

“We are back in the final again for the second season running and it was an outstanding effort from the team. I think our bench made a really good impression when they came on and we just had the match won by then.

“We knew what they were about and they come on the same way every week so to get on top of them in that sense was great.”

In an engrossing match, Sweeney’s opposite number Tommy Bell kicked 17 points, but Exeter out-scored the hosts on the try count thanks to efforts from Elvis Taione, Fetu’u Vainikolo and Greg Bateman.

Michele Rizzo managed Leicester’s only try of the afternoon, despite the hosts enjoying plenty of both territory and possession.

It all means that Exeter will face a Saracens side on Sunday who comprehensively defeated Rob Baxter’s team 35-18 in early February in the LV= Cup.

Former Cardiff Blue Sweeney admits that it is a tough ask for the Devon outfit. But the man with 35 caps for Wales thinks that the Chiefs’ consistency – they have now won eight of their last nine matches – means they are well prepared for the final showdown.

“Saracens is a tough ask,” he said. “We have already played them this year and lost so we certainly know what they are about. They are a very physical team and have a very big, powerful game as well so we will have to go back over the analysis this week and see if we can defend against it.

“I think Rob is very level-headed and he is not up or down if we win or lose. He tries to just keep it the same all the time and keeps us working on the things we need to work on. We are seeing the benefits of that now with consistent performances.”