Bateman Ready For Chiefs Battle
Greg Bateman believes the battle for a starting spot in the Exeter Chiefs starting XV is helping to bring the best out in everyone at the Devon club.
Fresh from making his competitive debut for Rob Baxter's side in their 19-4 LV= Cup win at home to holders Harlequins, the 24-year-old forward is now hoping to plot the downfall of rivals Bath in the same competition at the Recreation Ground this Sunday (1pm).
However, that will be no formality as not only will the home side be looking to build on their own cup victory at Sale Sharks a week ago, but at the same time maintain their unbeaten run over the Chiefs who have yet to defeat their nearest and dearest in a first team fixture since their promotion into the top flight.
“Bath are a very good side, " said Bateman. "We’ve been up against them in the A League so we know what they’re going to come with. They’ve got a good set-piece so we’re going to have to up it again from a forwards perspective, but if we concentrate on ourselves we hopefully shouldn’t go too far wrong.”
Bateman, along with Romana Graham, Don Armand and skipper Ceri Sweeney, were all making their first starts since summer moves to Sandy Park and having bided their time to get some much-needed game time, the quartet are hopeful of featuring against in this latest Westcountry derby.
“There’s such an array of talent in our side, there are a lot of lads who have been missing rugby and we all want to put a case forward and create some selection headaches for Rob, Ricky and Ali,” said Bateman, who joined the Chiefs from London Welsh. "Hopefully we did that on Saturday and put a bit of pressure on the boys in front of us. It makes for a good squad.”
Certainly the Chiefs are brimming with talent and experience across the board, but Bateman says it's the young talent - including the likes of Henry Slade and Jack Nowell - that has impressed him the most.
“The way these boys get their exposure at this top level with the academy set up is fantastic,” he added. “They’ve really come through very well. There were times on Saturday when Sladey and Nowellsy were carrying us in the game and making the highlights. It’s fantastic to play alongside them.”
Both Slade and Nowell are expected to feature again at The Rec this weekend and hooker Bateman wants the duo, plus all those around them in Exeter colours, to once again step up and make their mark on proceedings, even it again takes time to break down their opponents.
Reflecting on the Quins' victory, Bateman continued: "We talked at half-time and said they were a very good side. They weren’t going to break early, it was going to take 50, 60, 70 minutes to break them down. We came out with a good tempo in the second half and it proved to win the game for us.
"The defence was amazing. The boys worked really hard for each other and had a really good attitude to get off the line. We were hunting collisions and it was just brilliant.”
And it's that unity, both on and off the field, which Bateman believes is driving the Chiefs onwards this season.
“It’s good to be part of this club,” he said. “What we’ve done as a group, whether we’re in the first team or the second team, we’re all pushing forward. As one big squad we’re making things happen so everybody’s really pleased and it’s an exciting place to be part of.”
