Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

Chiefs flanker Scaysbrook wants to finish on a high

Exeter Chiefs flanker James Scaysbrook says the lure of playing in next season's Heineken Cup is all the motivation he and his team-mates need to finish the current campaign on a high note.

With just one game remaining in the scheduled fixture list - that against Gloucester at a sold out Sandy Park next Saturday (2.30pm) - the Devon club know a victory over the Cherry & Whites will ensure they will be competing alongside Europe's elite again next term.

The Chiefs head into the final round of fixtures in sixth place, two points clear of rivals Bath, who themselves still harbour Heineken Cup hopes having seen off Leicester Tigers in their last game.

Bath wrap up their season with a trip to league leaders Saracens knowing nothing less than victory will be enough for them at Allianz Park.

However, Scaysbrook admits he will not be worrying too much about his former club and that all his attentions will be firmly focused on the threat of Gloucester.

"We're an ambitious club and having got a small taste of playing the big clubs and the big games this season in the Heineken Cup, we want to have more of it again next year," said the all-action forward.

"Obviously we're aware Gloucester are a very good attacking team and that they have threats right across the board, but if we stick to our game plan and attack the game as we did against Wasps, then we'll give ourselves every chance."

Certainly the Chiefs underlined their desire to qualify for Europe's top cup competition with a hugely impressive 37-24 win at London Wasps last time out.

Rob Baxter's side recorded their fifth win in six top flight games at Adams Park and Scaysbrook says the team are determined to carry that impressive form into their final home game of the season.

"There was no running away from it, the Wasps game was an all or nothing week and we had to win," said the 31-year-old. "It was a good result for us and it's pushed us into contention for that last week. We knew the threat that Wasps would pose to us, but thankfully we came through it."

Just 24 hours prior to Exeter's latest victory, Bath capped off their home season by claiming maximum reward from their encounter against second-placed Leicester Tigers.

Asked if that result had focused the minds of the Exeter players any more, Scaysbrook replied: "We just knew we had to win. Results elsewhere didn't really make any difference because we knew if we won we would be in a good place, so that was our only real focus."

In a stylish showing from the Chiefs, Baxter's side ran in four tries on the day - including a well-worked training ground move that saw Scaysbrook set up the highly-rated Jack Nowell to touchdown.

"It's always nice when things you work on in training come off and you get points for them," said Scaysbrook. "Right now, we are enjoying our rugby and having something to play for over these last few weeks is great. I think as a group we enjoy the challenge of it all and taking it on."

Scaysbrook also praised the contribution of the club's supporters, many of whom turned out in force again at Adams Park. He said: "No matter where we go in England or in Europe, you always hear them on the sidelines. As players it gives us a boost hearing the Tomahawk Chop ringing out around grounds."