'Gutted' Whitten wants rapid response

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By Howard Lloyd
11/4/2016

Ian Whitten says Exeter Chiefs must use the disappointment of their dramatic European Champions Cup defeat at Wasps to their advantage during the end-of-season run-in.

Rob Baxter's side were denied a first-ever semi-final appearance in the competition when fly-half Jimmy Gopperth converted Charles Piutau's try with the final kick of the game to seal a 25-24 win for Wasps.

It was a hammer blow for a Chiefs side who had led 24-11 at one stage, but an emotional Whitten urged his team-mates to channel their disappointment in the final few weeks of the season.

"You can't really say anything other than we all are absolutely gutted," said the 28-year-old centre. "It's hard to sum up your emotions. It is just a very deflating experience for us.

"Rob (Baxter) has talked about it though and we have to use the anger of it. At some point the disappointment has to turn to anger and that anger used the right way has to be good for us."

In an epic encounter, two tries from Thomas Waldrom - who took his seasonal tally to 19 in all competitions - plus and one from prop Harry Williams, combined with nine points from the boot of Gareth Steenson, looked to have secured a semi-final spot.

However, two tries from Piutau and one from Frank Halai along with Gopperth's 10 points – including his dramatic touchline conversion – meant it is Dai Young's men who will go on to face Saracens in Reading in the last four.

"I am massively proud of all the lads – I thought all of them pitched up massively and we gave everything for each other and the club," continued the former Ulster player.

"Sometimes that is all you can ask, even when you don't get the result – you could see the effort was there and I was massively proud to have played with all of them on Saturday.

"It is going to take another effort like Saturday (away against Gloucester on Friday) but if we keep playing like that we'll come out the right side because we'll learn the small things. The good thing is the way we play for each other and the pride we have in the shirt."