Bodilly keen to kick on

By Mark Stevens

Max Bodilly is hoping to glean yet more European experience when he lines up as part of the Exeter Chiefs squad for their crunch European Champions Cup clash with the Ospreys on Sunday (3:15pm).

The young Cornishman marked his first start in Europe’s premier competition by scoring one of Exeter’s three tries in their narrow defeat to Bordeaux-Begles last time out - and now he’s keen for more of the action against the visiting Welsh region.

With both sides chasing a victory to secure any hopes of progression into the last eight of the tournament, it’s the Ospreys who hold the upper hand in Pool Two, having bagged 16 points to date from five games. Rivals Clermont Auvergne - who are at home to Bordeaux-Begles in their last game - are next best on 14 points, whilst the Chiefs have 11.

It will be a tall order for Rob Baxter’s side to advance into the quarter-finals, but Bodilly, a product of the club’s highly-successful academy structure, says the Devon club are relishing the challenge that lies ahead.

Having featured for 70 minutes at the Stade Chaban Delmas, the 21-year-old certainly didn’t look out of place against the proven names of world rugby all around him, even marking his appearance with an impressive second half score.

“On a personal level it was nice to get over the whitewash, but the main thing for me was to get 70 minutes in the Champions Cup,” said Bodilly, who is dual registered this season with Championship outfit Cornish Pirates.

“It was nice to get out there and play for the Chiefs again, it’s been a while, and it was a great experience for me. Playing regularly, though, down at the Pirates this season has helped me a lot and improved my game.”

Like others before him, players such as Dave Ewers, Sam Hill, Jack Yeandle and Jack Nowell, they have used their time with the Pirates to then gone on and establish themselves within Baxter’s first team plans at Sandy Park.

“Those guys show the process works,” explained Bodilly. “The path is put there for us young players, then it’s up to us to work hard and look to follow in the same footsteps.”

For the time being, though, Bodilly aims to hang around the Chiefs and help them in Europe and in the Aviva Premiership, where they are currently riding high in second spot.

“My main target is to stay here at the Chiefs for as long as I can,” he continued. “Right now I’m in and around the mix, which is great, but if I have to go back to the Pirates that’s great as well. Whatever happens, I want to be pushing hard and getting game time.”

Bodilly’s case with the Chiefs could be improved by the fact that not only did he impress last time out, but that Exeter team-mates such as Nowell, Sam Hill and Michele Campagnaro are set to head into international camps with their respective countries.

“Obviously I’ve got a better chance with them away, but I tend to take things week by week,” said Bodilly. “If I get my chance, like last week, it’s up to me to do the best I can and just look to take my chance.”

And next on the agenda for the Chiefs is Sunday’s visit of the Ospreys, who Bodilly knows will pose a creditable threat of their own.

“They’ve got class all around the park,” he added. “They’ll be coming hard at us because they are pushing for top spot, but I think there will be a bit of a backlash from us after Bordeaux, so there’s everything to play for. There will be two good sides going for it, but we don’t tend to lose at home all that often and we take a lot of pride in that record, so it’s up to us to push hard from the outset.”