Wingers relishing excitement of the playoffs

There may be a disparity in terms of age and experience between these Exeter Chiefs wingers, but both are relishing the thought of a play-off game against Bath Rugby tomorrow.

With 205 Chiefs appearances behind him, Olly Woodburn said: “I’m super excited. Back in the day, when we were making semi-finals year in year out, I took it for granted, but there’s been a long drought so I’m trying to absorb and enjoy every moment of it.”

In contrast, this will be Campbell Ridl’s 23rd appearance for Chiefs and his first Gallagher PREM play-off for the club.

The 21-year-old said: “I’m not going to take this one for granted! Every week now I’ve been saying, ‘This game is the biggest of my life so far’.”

Chiefs beat Saracens 32-12 last Saturday to win a straight shootout to end the regular season in third place. This lines up a second-versus-third play-off at The Rec tomorrow (KO 15:00) with the winner progressing to the Gallagher PREM final at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Ridl added: “It’s a surreal feeling. Coming in from high school, you never expect to be full-time in rugby doing something that you love and enjoy.”

But it’s also a surreal feeling for many of the Chiefs players and supporters after the disappointment of last season. There was a significant re-set in the off-season with a tough pre-season and a switch of mindset. The team is now seeing the fruits of their labours.

Woodburn said: “I would say it is a new squad but old values. Rob has brought in the Exeter Chiefs’ DNA. From the first day of pre-season, you’ve got to work hard. You do your homework. You pay attention in meetings. With a new group of players, some young players and with the help of some older players knitting it together, it is coming through at the right point of the season.”

That point is now with the reigning champions Bath waiting at home to claim a successive place in the final.

Ridl added: “Bath have a really amazing squad. They’ve got some really big names, but we’ve also got good names and a really good squad, so I think it’s about who turns up on the day.”

Watch the full interview below to get Woodburn’s assessment of Ridl’s breakthrough year in the Prem and Ridl’s appreciation of highball expertise.