'Let's rock the Park' - Francis
By Mark Stevens
21/12/18
Tomas Francis says Exeter Chiefs are determined to get Sandy Park 'rocking again' when they play host to table-topping Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership tomorrow (3pm).
It's not often that Devon's finest come unstuck on home soil, but that was the case a fortnight ago when Gloucester emerged triumphant from their Champions Cup encounter.
That was one of only two home defeats Rob Baxter's side have suffered so far in 2018 - and Welsh international Francis is determined that Sarries do not add their name to the list of conquerors.
"The last home game was really disappointing, so we now we need to go out and put on a performance to cheer up the fans and make them have a good holiday," said the 26-year-old prop.
"Thankfully, we put right some of the wrongs last week up at Gloucester, but now we need to carry that into this week."
Toppling the defending Premiership champions will be no formality, particularly as they arrive boasting a 22-game unbeaten run. Included in that sequence of results was last May's final victory over the Chiefs at Twickenham, a result that still burns deep with the minds of Francis and many of his club-mates.
"Personally, the final wasn't a great set-piece performance from us as a pack," explained Francis. "Saturday is our first chance to put it right. That performance, the loss itself, and the fact we are up against an in-form Saracens side, it all adds extra spice.
"It's been a good week in training, a bit of an edge to things, and now we're all really excited to get out there and give it a real good crack."
With a capacity crowd in tow for this festive clash between the Premiership's top two sides, Francis hopes the Chiefs faithful will be in full battle cry come kick-off.
"As long we give them a performance to cheer about, there is no better crowd around," he added. "Against Gloucester, we never really gave them anything to get behind. The aim this weekend is to make sure we do and have this place rocking again."