Chiefs rediscover their winning ways

It’s been a while, just under three months if we’re really counting, but Exeter Chiefs rediscovered their winning formula in the Aviva Premiership with this impressive victory over visiting London Irish.

Not since December 21 when Newcastle Falcons were humbled 16-3 at Sandy Park have Devon’s finest tasted success in English rugby’s top tier.

Five consecutive defeats – including a recent hat-trick of losses against the division’s top three – have seen Rob Baxter’s side slowly slip down the pecking order to eighth spot coming into this contest.

However, the Chiefs were able to stop the rot as tries from centres Phil Dollman and Ian Whitten, plus eight points from the boot of fly-half Henry Slade, ensured a seventh leeague win of the season.

Irish did their best to contend with the home threat, but the nearest they came to claiming any kind of reward as a first half penalty from Aussie international James O’Connor, which sadly for him cannoned back off the left post.

Desperate for a much-needed victory tonic after a wretched run of top flights results, Baxter handed a first-ever Premiership start to young hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, whilst other changes to the side defeated at Saracens saw returns in the back division for both Tom James and Luke Arscott.

Like their hosts, Irish also suffered a loss last time out – they were narrowly undone at home to Leicester Tigers – and they made a handful of changes to their starting XV.

Into the fray came speedsters Marland Yarde and Topsy Ojo; Shane Geraghty was switched to fly-half and O’Connor reverted from full-back to centre in a new-look backline. Up front, Welsh international John Yapp was named at loosehead and a late change saw Leo Halavatau promoted from the bench following the warm-up to take over from the injured Jamie Hagan.

With personnel in place and the Chiefs up against a stiff breeze, the early exchanges were restricted to an arm-wrestle between the respective packs.

However, it was the home side who were slowly beginning to take a grip on proceedings and the deadlock was finally broken on 10 minutes.

See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/chiefs-18-irish-0/#sthash.ecxQDGXL.dpuf

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency