Chiefs side to face DMP Sharks
By Harry Scott-Munro
17/12/21
After the disappointment of a home defeat to Gloucester-Hartpury last weekend, Susie Appleby’s Exeter Chiefs side will be looking to turn the winter chill on hosts DMP Durham Sharks in the Allianz Premier 15s tomorrow as they aim to end 2021 on a high note (12pm).
Defeat last Saturday not oly saw the Chiefs’ unbeaten home run come to an abrupt end, but results elsewhere also meant that Devonians slipped out of the top four for the first time in weeks.
The trip to DMP Durham Sharks though, gives the side an opportunity to “right those wrongs” and keep the pressure on at the top of the table going into the New Year.
“Last week was disappointing but it was us missing our opportunities rather than dealing with what was imposed on us,” explained Appleby. “We said last week that if we won the breakdown we would win the game, but that didn’t happen.”
Against a ferocious Gloucester-Hartpury defence, Appleby’s side struggled to impose their attacking structure on the game, something the Chiefs coach will be keen to see her side improve upon this weekend.
That will only be bolstered by the news this week that USA Eagle Megan Foster has joined the club and will make her debut at fly-half.
“Meg is already getting to grips with how we play,” said Appleby. “Her control of the game and the way she can see the game at 10, whether to run, kick or pass, that is only going to add to our variety. She’s excited to get going and we’re excited to see what she can bring.”
Appleby has also challenged her side to improve their attacking detail and accuracy ahead of the clash up north, with the Head Coach highlighting just how important both facets were in securing results in the league.
“We’ve looked a little bit more at the attack and our detail. It’s not rocket science in this league, if you want to win games, you have to win the breakdown,” she added. “If we get our accuracy right and bring that physicality, then hopefully that will mean we can get into some good positions on the field. This league is very competitive, but we know we’re capable of beating big teams on any day, so the opportunity is there, and we need to go and get them.”
Ahead of kick-off Appleby has made a number of changes to the side, as she looks to freshen up the squad.
Along with a first start for Foster, flanker Eilidh Sinclair and second row Nichola Fryday will also make their first league starts for the club, with Appleby excited to see how they perform.
“Eilidh has been here a while. She’s had her injury problems but is back now and deserves the opportunity. Nich as well, she’s into game three for us now and she’s been doing really well off the bench. She really deserves that opportunity to start. We need to lay the foundations this weekend with some new players in place.”
Elsewhere, Laura Delgado and Clara Nielson move from the bench to start in the front-row with Emily Tuttosi poised to make an impact off the bench. With Sachiko Kato unavailable through injury, there could also be a competitive debut for prop Lizzie Hanlon, after a series of impressive performance for Exeter University in the BUCS Women’s Premier South this season.
With Sinclair starting at flanker, co-captain Poppy Leitch moves back into the second row, with Linde Van der Velden starting at No.8.
In the backs, there are several more changes as Flo Robinson moves to scrum-half and Patricia Garcia starts her first game for the club at inside centre. The other changes to the starting XV see both Merryn Doidge and Garnet Mackinder start on the wing.
With a number of changes to the side, Appleby has challenged her squad to make their mark and show “real Chiefs fight” as she looks to test the strength of her whole squad ahead of what she describes as an “attritional” period post-Christmas.
“We’ve got some players coming back after Christmas, so the players playing this weekend will all be fighting for their places. That’s what I want to see is that real Chiefs fight. After Christmas, we have to be more accurate with what we’re doing. There are some massive games coming and seven games in nine weeks, so it’s going to be quite attritional. We’re looking for that performance to increase.”
DMP Durham Sharks though will be no easy fixture for the Chiefs and Appleby, who admitted their rivals “don’t ;pay like a side that are bottom of the league.”
“They had some opportunities against Quins and they’ve scored a few tries. They’re not a bad side. They’re physical and they have a very good full-back. They’re a side that have probably underperformed a bit this season. But they’re at home, just before Christmas, which will be massive for them. We’re preparing as we prepare for any game in this league, which is focused on that physical battle.”
