Bodilly targets big year ahead

It's been quite a season for Exeter Chiefs youngster Max Bodilly, but already the young Cornishman is targeting what he hopes will be an even bigger 2015/16 campaign.

As one of the growing number of players to emerge from the Devon club's hugely successful Academy programme, the 20-year-old back is looking to follow in the studmarks of fellow young guns Jack Nowell, Henry Slade, Dave Ewers, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Sam Hill in making the leap into first team regulars.

Certainly the Truro-born youngster has already demonstrated that he has the qualities to perform at the top end - and his inclusion in the Chiefs squad for the final two Aviva Premiership games of the season was testament to how highly thought of he is by the Exeter coaching staff.

Having figured strongly during the club's march to a second LV= Cup Final in as many years, Bodilly showcased his talent even further against Saracens in the big match itself, scoring two tries before the Chiefs were ultimately edged out by Ben Spencer's last-gasp penalty.

For Bodilly, though, the season has been an unrivalled success and as he prepares to take a well-earned break ahead of pre-season, he's been quick to reflect on events of the past 12 months.

"It's been a brilliant year for me," said Bodilly, who combined life at the Chiefs with dual-registered terms at Championship side Cornish Pirates.

"Originally I set myself the target of getting maybe a few starts in the LV, but I managed to do well there and then the semi-final and the final itself went really well. It was a great experience for me, as was being on the bench for the last two Premiership games."

Although Bodilly was unused in Exeter's penultimate league clash away to Saracens, he was introduced for the final day outing against visiting Sale Sharks.

"It was great for everyone at the club to finish the season on such a high," he added. "I know we came up a bit short in the end, but really you can't the effort of the boys. Although we've not got any silverware, the club has been there of thereabouts in every competition, so it shows how far we've come and the steps we are making."

And with the chance now to recharge the batteries, Bodilly says it won't be long before he and his team-mates will be back in the thick of things ahead of what will be Exeter's sixth campaign in English rugby's top flight.

"I think we're all looking forward to next season already," continued Bodilly. "We've got something like five, six week off and a chance to chill, but then we'll all come flying back in and raring to go again.

"Being here at the club and having come through the Academy, everything is here and on a plate for you. It's up to you then as a player to chase it and that's what I've done since I arrived at the club. I was very happy to make my league debut in the last game, so hopefully I can kick on from that."