Slade targets away-day success

By Mark Stevens

Henry Slade admits if Exeter Chiefs are to be considered genuine contenders for a top four place this season in the Aviva Premiership, then accruing points on the road will be vital for the Devon club.

Having started the season with a narrow loss at Bath, Rob Baxter’s side bounced back to winning ways last weekend with a convincing 38-11 victory over visiting London Irish.

The six-try salvo at Sandy Park was certainly impressive - as has been Exeter’s form for the past 12 months - which has seen them lose only twice on their own turf in the top flight.

On the road, however, it’s always much tougher and ahead of their impending trip to Newcastle Falcons this weekend, the England international knows the importance of putting in a big performance at Kingston Park.

Indeed, it was at the North East venue last term that the Chiefs suffered one of their away-day losses, going down 29-24 as the Falcons hit them with two late tries to record their first league win in almost a year.

"We slipped up against the teams outside of the top four last year and that was disappointing when you consider how tight it was at the finish," said the 22-year-old playmaker.

"There were a few games that we let slip which we could have won, but Newcastle are a tough team especially up there. We are under no illusions about the task and we have to go up there and hopefully put right what went wrong last year.

“Those experiences can only help us, but it is also the same for them. They have had another year and learned, so it is going to be a tough game."

Just whether or not the Chiefs have learned from past mistakes will be put to the test this week - and in coming weeks - but with arguably the strongest-ever squad available at Sandy Park, Plymouth-born Slade is expecting Exeter to challenge for honours.

Certainly the introduction of key names such as Geoff Parling, Julian Salvi, James Short and Michele Campaganaro have bolstered the already impressive playing roster, whilst Slade himself is more experienced having had another full Premiership season and a Rugby World Cup campaign in his locker.

"I think last season we were delighted just to be in and around the top four, but having guys like this coming to us now, who are used to being in the top four every year, is what gives you that little bit more, so we will be disappointed not to be in and around that top four mark at the end of season," added Slade.

"I think there is a shift in mind-set that perhaps we are not used to because that was our first taste of it last year, but we are aiming for that again and we will be disappointed if we fall short.

"It is a long season and picking up bonus points away from home is pretty big. We were disappointed not to come away from Bath with a win because we had our chances. We were held up on the line, I dropped the ball [in scoring a try] and missed a drop goal at the end, but you can't hang your season up on it.

"There is still a long way to go, we will take it week by week and not get carried away by big wins or losses here and there. We will stay level-headed and I think that will stand us in good stead."