Player interview: Wolstenholme settling into Chiefs colours

Scrum-half Sam Wolstenholme is no stranger to the Gallagher PREM, but the chance to pull on the Chiefs shirt in the league for the first time against Bath Rugby produced a new bubble of anticipation and nerves for the Yorkshire lad.

See below his interview, first released in our match programme.

He had experienced an unfortunate delayed start when the week before, as Chiefs prepared to host Gloucester in their season-opener, the 27-year-old was sent home from training ill. Teammate Jake Murray stepped in to take a bench place against the cherry and whites, but Wolstenholme was back and ready to play last Friday night.

He said: “It was really frustrating to have to miss the Gloucester game through illness, but being able to be back in the mix playing against Bath was amazing. Friday night at The Rec, it’s hard to beat. It’s a hostile environment and they’re a really good side to play against.

“While the result didn’t go the way we wanted, it was great to make my competitive debut for Exeter. It was a great occasion for me personally.”

While some players can have a feeling of overwhelming nervousness playing their first game for a new club, the former Wasps, Leicester Tigers and Bristol Bears man had more than 30 previous league appearances on his side to quell that feeling.

He said: “It definitely took some of the pressure off, knowing that I’d played at this level before. I feel confident and comfortable playing in the PREM. I think every game in this league is so important, so there are always some nerves, but the fact I’ve done this before made it a little easier on me.

“I think the fact it was my first time playing for Exeter in the league though, made it a mixture of nerve-wracking and exciting. I’m looking forward to getting that chance to do it at home this week.”

It was almost a storybook beginning. In the 71st minute against Johann van Graan’s men, Wolstenholme plucked the ball from the ruck and looked to set off for the line. In the seconds that followed, a call came in for side entry though the aggrieved scrum-half felt he’d been thwarted by a man on the floor. The decision wasn’t given and Chiefs prepared for Bath to clear their lines.

What had gone through his mind in that split second?

He explained: “Yeah, looking back on it, and I think the referee may have even acknowledged, it could’ve been a penalty. I think I just saw my name up in lights!

“No, in seriousness, I saw a gap and thought I’d try to take it and exploit the opportunity it created. Unfortunately, there was a guy in the way and then we get turned over, but in another situation, I think I could’ve gone on and scored.”

There will plenty more opportunities for Wolstenholme to score his first Chiefs try. Having trained well, he sits just behind Italian international Stephen Varney in competing for the number nine shirt currently. How does he feel he’s settling in to life as a Chief and as part of the half-back group who work so closely with attack coach, Dave Walder?

He said: “I feel really comfortable here now. I feel like I’ve got my head around the game-plan, the style of play, and the patterns of play. I think I’ve started to truly create connections with individual players, knowing what they like and how I can benefit them and vice versa.

“All of that is only going to get better with time as well. I feel settled here though and I’m looking forward to playing more rugby as a Chief.”

He added: “We’ve got a really good half-back group, with quite a few nines which is good, because we’re always pushing each other. We work hard with each other but we compete against each other. We’re always helping each other out. I get on well with all the lads off the field, so that helps to foster a really nice dynamic among us all.”

One true benefit of playing for Chiefs is the fact that Exeter the city is a lot smaller than the bowl other teams find themselves in. The players hardly go a single day without bumping into one of their teammates. It’s an aspect of life at his new club that Wolstenholme is enjoying as he continues to imbed himself in the set-up in Devon.

He explained: “I think the amount of time we all spend together helps our on-field play. The more time you spend with them, the closer the bond and connection you have with them is and that translates to when you’re on the field, because you want to play for them more, you want to fight for them.

“Also, getting to know them more as people allows you to get to know what makes them tick. Those bonds and knowing one another, I think, translates to helping you perform as a cohesive team unit.”

The opportunities to experience new landscapes and venture out into the outdoors are endless in the south west. While he’s enjoyed some beach trips already, Wolstenholme has plenty more new places still to tick off his list.

He said: “I actually went to Dartmoor for the first time this week! There’s an outdoor sauna that we went to, though I can’t remember the name. A few of the boys all went together for a dip in the water and a sauna.

“I’ve also done a couple beaches already, Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth. There’s some more on my list though. I want to get to Beer, for sure. Now that I feel settled, I feel like I’m ready to explore a little bit more. When you first move down, you’re focusing on the rugby or sorting your house out, or just simply finding your feet. Now I’m ready to start to branch out and create a bit more of a life down here.”

Exploring Devon aside, Wolstenholme’s main focus last week, alongside that of his teammates, was identifying Newcastle Red Bulls’ main threats and how to contain them. They’re a side under a revolution who are looking more threatening this season and with Chiefs needing a home win to boost momentum, it was sure to be a tasty encounter before the first whistle.

He said: “They’re going to pose a bit of a different threat than in past seasons. They’re looking to run the ball a lot more, move it about a lot more. They’ve got a lot of new, big signings in but I think for us, nothing really changes. We’re just going to double down and focus on what we do.

“We’re coming into this off the back of two losses and coming back to a home Sandy Park crowd, it’ll be a massive fixture and one we’ll want to get five points from. We’re obviously going to respect Newcastle, but we want five points and that’s in the forefront of our minds.”

Five points sets Chiefs off on a positive footing as they enter into European competition this week. The first round of this season’s Investec Champions Cup brings with it a mammoth task – Stade Toulousain away from home. The French Top14 behemoths will test all areas of the Chiefs game. However, the players are relishing the opportunity.

Wolstenholme agreed: “I think the Champions Cup, aside from international rugby, can be some of the best rugby on display throughout the whole season. It’s a competition that is hotly contested but also allows you to create some amazing memories.

“If we go away to France and get a win, that’d be fantastic. Stade Toulousain are one of the best teams in the world, so what a great opportunity it is for us to compare ourselves against them.

“Obviously, you’re going over there and you’re wanting to win, but it’s going to take a monumental effort. Everyone is going to have to be close and fight for each other, but I think that’s what this group thrives on and relishes. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”