Practice makes perfect for Cordero

By Mark Stevens
14/12/18

Santiago Cordero believes there will be a reaction from the Exeter Chiefs ahead of tonight's Heineken Champions Cup clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm (7:45pm).

Last Saturday's 27-19 loss to the Cherry & Whites at Sandy Park mean Rob Baxter's side remain rooted to the foot of Pool Two and without a win in this season's European competition.

This evening, however, Devon's finest have their chance to put matters right, not only avenging a first home loss since February, but at the same time put their Champions Cup aspirations back on track.

Baxter admitted post-match that nothing less than 15 points would suffice for his side from their remaining three Champions Cup fixtures - and that quest starts with the final part of the recent three-game trilogy against Gloucester.

Cordero, who set a European record last weekend by beating 17 defenders during the Round 3 clash, admitted there was real disappointment within the Chiefs ranks at the final whistle, but believes a strong training week has helped to put his side back on track.

"Of course we were disappointed with last week," said the Argentinian international. "But, now we're looking forward to Friday and going up there and hopefully trying to win the game and give our best performance.

"We know Gloucester are an amazing team, who play very well, but when we looked at our performance this week, I think we realised we didn't play like us. What we have to do is just try and keep it simple and do what we know works.

"For sure, I think there will be a reaction and we will be going up there ready to give it 100 per cent."

In what was a somewhat error-strewn display from the Chiefs, Cordero says a decent review of the match, plus some hard work on the training ground has helped to iron out a few issues.

"Whenever you play, you want to play well and win of course," added the 25-year-old. "Sometimes, though, it doesn't always happen. We made too many errors last week, but we have been practising hard this week and hopefully it won't happen again."