Player interview: "I’m just building confidence in my role.”

The PREM Rugy Cup is the perfect platform to blood young players as the internationals continue to rest following their summer commitments. Last season, we saw the emergence of Ollie Batson, Ethan Burger, Campbell Ridl and Finn Worley Brady. We got the opportunity to take another look at Exeter-born Batson at centre last weekend against Bristol Bears.

At just 19, he is already well and truly achieving his boyhood dreams having joined the Chiefs Academy as a 15-year-old Exeter School product. He is now a member of EURFC at the University of Exeter, and has already caught the eye of England, representing them at U18s and U20s levels.

He said: “It's definitely a dream come true. Chiefs were who I watched when I was growing up. Seeing what they did with the double, it always made me want to play, and now to play here is unreal really.”

On Saturday, he got the chance to run out against local rivals Bristol Bears at Sandy Park alongside new Chief Will Butt

Before the game, he said: “I'm really looking forward to it. I’m really excited to start this game with Butty. Obviously, he's got loads of experience. When I'm training with him, I've been looking to learn off him, so it'll be good to play alongside him.”

Butt was not the only new Chief making his debut last weekend. The centre was joined by lock/back-row Harry Wilson and scrum-half Sam Wolstenholme, plus Sam Harris and Jake Murray coming on in Chiefs colours from the bench,

“They've come in, learned everything pretty quickly. They’ve definitely added a new dynamic and something different.”

For these new Chiefs and younger players, this game is a chance to put down a marker and show the coaches what they are capable of.

He added: “I'm just trying to take the season one game at a time, take the opportunities that I get and just keep trying to perform. I think there's confidence in what I'm doing now and I’m not second guessing myself every time. I’m just building confidence in my role.”

Batson made his debut against Sale Sharks in last season’s cup competition.

“I wasn't expecting to be where I am now, but coming through the Academy and coming through Exmouth has really helped me develop as a player and also as a person to just get out of there.”

A far cry from the youngster who did not want to get out of the car for rugby training, Batson’s journey has taken him on tours with England age-group sides to continue his development.

“It was different as I when came into the club I was playing with loads of people different ages, different experiences, whereas when we went back to camp, they were all the same age again. It was a lot of fun.”

Batson is one of three Chiefs players to be named in England U20s men’s 2026/27 Elite Player Squad last week. Morgan Crew and Ben Smith made up the trio.

“I’m hoping to push on this season because I missed out a bit last year due to some injury. But, I’m hoping just to push on with Chiefs mainly. I'm just taking it one opportunity at times.”

Last weekend’s game was a chance to reset after a season that ended up being more successful than many rugby pundits and supporters had ever imagined. A few of the personnel may have changed but the Chiefs spirit and willingness to work hard very much remains.

Batson concluded: “Coming off the back of a good season we've had talks about trying not to let the standard drop. We need to push through, not just expect games to come to us. We need keep that mindset that we had last year and just fight for everything, play our way, be us, and not just think that it's gonna happen for us.

“The final helped us realise how much work goes into getting there. It's not just the big goal, it's every game…just everything matters.”

This interview appeared in last weekend’s matchday programme. Read the rest here.