Roots hopes mindset shift helps Chiefs get off to strong start

Two years on from signing for Chiefs from Ospreys, back-row Ethan Roots will captain an Exeter side in a pre-season meeting against his former side in Bridgend on Saturday.

Since his debut against Bristol Bears in September 2023, Roots now has 50 appearances to his name and quickly became an integral part of the leadership group in Exeter.

Roots said: “I guess I just did the basics right, the bare minimum or the hard graft that no-one really wants to do. Ultimately, I just tried to do everything that was asked of me.

“The first season, we got off to a hot start and that helped me to establish myself in the team, so I’ve just been building on the back of that since. I’m always trying to hold a little more weight around the club and be a better leader, and that’s all part of the growth that we’re trying to achieve this season as a collective.”

Roots has become a favourite of TV cameramen everywhere. His crunching tackles are often replayed to the commentators’ delight but hunting out those encounters is not at the forefront of his mind.

“I think if you’re going out looking for it, it doesn’t often find you. A key to those kinds of moments is to organically let it happen by being in the right place, right time over and over again to give yourself the best opportunity to have a big impact.”

The first chance to make an impact in a campaign comes in pre-season. After a difficult 2024/25 season, Chiefs implemented a gruelling programme.

Roots said: “We’ve been put through the ringer, boys have worked incredibly hard, but it’s all had a really good feel about it.

“I’d say the first week had us all dying a little, just with all the extra running, but we’ve gotten used to that now and it’s become our norm. So, because of that, we’re starting to smile and laugh or have jokes while we’re running bronco reps.”

With a host of summer signings, including notable additions to the scrum in the form of international front-rowers Joseph Dweba and Bachuki Tchumbadze, there has been change in the ranks as well as in the messaging delivered by coaches.

“The new boys have been great! It’s been a bit of a shock for some of them, some of our southern hemisphere boys. Credit to them all, they’ve bought in really well.

“They’ve just come in and immediately bought into our culture to make themselves at home. They’re all looking like they’re a good fit for our club.

“One of the perks of having a young group is that they’re normally pretty malleable so the boys have taken to changes fairly quickly. All the new elements that both Haydn [Thomas, defence coach] and Dave [Walder, attack coach] are doing, it looks good and feels good when we’re doing it. We’re excited about being able to finally test it out this weekend against some live opposition.”

That opposition is his former club, the Ospreys. The United Rugby Championship side will host the game at Brewery Field in Bridgend having visited Sandy Park last pre-season.

Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter has taken the chance to name two completely different XVs for the first and second half this weekend, to maximise game-time for his squad. Roots will take the captain’s armband for the first half.

He said: “It’s an important game in terms of development. It’s crucial, when we’ve got such a young squad, that we start building some depth from within and that starts with these pre-season games. Allowing everyone to get game-time and exposure in turn helps the coaches to see what everyone’s made of. It’s a great opportunity to put your hand up and express yourself.

“A big thing for us is making sure everyone sees themselves as a cog in the machine, so we look like we’re a XV on the pitch. The leaders in both halves this weekend are going to try to make sure we all stay on the same page, heading in the same direction.”

There’s just a week before Chiefs officially launch their season with a PREM Cup opener against Gloucester Rugby next Friday night. However, it won’t be until October that the Exeter men step foot on home turf against Newcastle Red Bulls.

Roots said: “We’re gutted we have to wait a whole month until we can play our first home game but it’s great that the reason is because the women’s Rugby World Cup is here. It’s great exposure for Exeter to have international games here and it’s been super lively.

“As a playing group, we’re gagging to get back home in front of our crowd. Every time here is special. Even last season, when things weren’t going our way, there’s a huge band of loyal supporters who were here week-in, week-out. They’re loud, they love seeing the basics done right and the hard graft, as that’s what this club is based on.

“When your fans are like that, it’s really easy to get out there and try to perform. We’re excited as a group to be back and try to deliver more for the fans.”