Chiefs side to face Harlequins
By Mark Stevens
31/1/20
Ricky Pellow says there is ‘genuine excitement’ amongst his Exeter Chiefs squad ahead of Sunday’s Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final against Harlequins at Sandy Park (1pm).
In what will be Exeter’s fifth semi-final appearance out of the last six in this competition, the Devonians head into this latest match-up in buoyant mood, having produced an impressive first half to the current season.
Not only do they potentially find themselves just a game away from appearing in the first Cup Final of the season, but they sit proudly at the summit of the Gallagher Premiership and have also secured home advantage in the last eight of the Heineken Champions Cup.
It’s little wonder, therefore, that Pellow was quick to talk up the feel-good factor around the place this week.
“To be in this position is great credit to all of the players and how hard they have been willing to work,” said the Cornishman. “This weekend offers us the first opportunity of getting into a final, so there is genuine excitement amongst the group ahead of the game.
“We know Harlequins will be tough opponents, they always are, and like ourselves they will have aspirations of their own to do very well in this competition. We’ve had a close look at them this week, but the real focus for us has been more on ourselves and what we can bring to the game.”
Since their promotion into the top-flight back in 2010, the Chiefs have held this competition in high regard, winning it twice in 2014 and 2017, as well as appearing in a further two finals.
It’s a competition which Pellow says is vital for the future development of the Chiefs, a point illustrated over the years with the likes of Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Nowell, Dave Ewers, Sam Simmonds and Henry Slade all cutting their teeth at this level as youngsters.
“Ever since we got promoted, it’s kind of been part of our DNA,” explained Skills Coach Pellow, who again has been handed full control of the side by Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter.
“The way in which we not only attack the competition, but use it to help develop a number of our younger players is key to some of our success. Guys know they will get opportunities at this level and then it’s down to them to take those opportunities.
“For the youngsters – and this has happened for a number of years now – it’s a great learning tool for them. Not only does it allow them to get exposure in some big games of rugby, but by training and playing alongside some of those more experienced names, it really helps bring them through in terms of their own development.”
As has been the case throughout the competition, the Chiefs have once again selected a healthy mix of youth and experience for this latest date against the Londoners.
Scottish international Sam Skipper, recently returned from a hamstring injury, skippers the side from No.8, but he is joined in the ranks by a string of other senior stars, including the likes of Don Armand, Stu Townsend, James Short, Max Bodilly and Tom Hendrickson.
Elsewhere, summer signings Jordon Poole, Will Witty and Tom Price, the latter making his first start for the Chiefs, will get their chance to impress up front, as will the likes of Harvey Skinner and Tom Wyatt in the back division.
“After last weekend [the Chiefs lost to Sale Sharks in the Premiership] it was important we came in at the start of the week and quickly reset ourselves,” continued Pellow. “We did that pretty quickly and a lot of that was led by Sam Skinner.
“The guys this week have come in with real energy, they’ve attacked every training session, and there is a real buzz amongst the group. All of them have put into training what we’ve talked about in meetings this week – and now the challenge is for them to carry that same work into this weekend’s game.”
CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE HARLEQUINS
15 Phil Dollman
14 Max Bodilly
13 Tom Wyatt
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 James Short
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Stuart Townsend
1 Billy Keast
2 Jordon Poole
3 Marcus Street
4 Will Witty
5 Tom Price
6 Sean Lonsdale
7 Don Armand
8 Sam Skinner (capt)
16 Kyle Cooper
17 Danny Southworth
18 Patrick Schickerling
19 Stan South
20 Josh Caulfield
21 Jack Maunder
22 Sam Morley
23 Pete Laverick