Competition for places is key, says Chiefs winger Matt Jess
Winger Matt Jess believes the competition for places that exists within the Exeter Chiefs squad will drive standards up to a whole new level this season.
The Chiefs kick-off their Aviva Premiership campaign this weekend when they make the trip to face Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens (3pm).
It's certainly a daunting first-day fixture for the Devon club, but Jess says the recruitment made by head coach Rob Baxter during the close season has given real belief within the Exeter camp that they can once again be a force to be reckoned with in English rugby's top flight.
Among the seven new arrivals brought in by Baxter are international wingers Tom James and Fetu'u Vainikolo - and Jess is aware the duo, together with the emergence of England Under-20s starlet Jack Nowell, have brought real competition for a starting spot in the Chiefs line-up.
"All the summer recruits have done really well and the guys who have been around longer too – we have got huge strength in our squad. Rob strengthens the squad every year and he has certainly done it again this summer," said Jess.
Already both James and Vainikolo have underlined their scoring credentials in pre-season and Jess says the success of the team will come first, even if it means missing out on a starting role himself.
"Tom is a great player, he come on against Glasgow, played 40-odd minutes and scored a couple of tries. That ability will be a massive boost for us and it is good to have competition across the backs," added the former Launceston and Cornish Pirates back.
"The shirt is never your own and if him or Fetu'u Vainikolo are picked, they have my full support and I'll be there in training making sure they are tip-top for the next game."
That said, the 'Heamoor Flyer' has proved in his first three years in the Premiership that he has the qualities to unlock rival defences and he will be hoping to do just that against the Saints on Saturday.
The Coventry-born ace believes the Saints will be formidable opponents, naming the likes of George North and Dylan Hartley as key men to shut down.
He said: "Franklin's Gardens is a massive place to go, the atmosphere there is brilliant, they've got plenty of internationals in their squad. They've got weapons they can use, Dylan Hartley is always a tough opponent and George North did well for the Lions in the summer. They are going to put us under a lot of pressure, but I'm confident that after we've gone through another training week, we can go up there and test them and bring some points home."
The Chiefs wrapped up their pre-season programme last weekend with a narrow defeat against Heineken Cup rivals Glasgow Warriors, this after they had defeated Scarlets and Bristol in their two previous warm-up games.
Despite the loss, Jess and his team-mates have been hard at work this past week and the Chiefs contingent cannot wait to get stuck into the action again.
Jess said: "With the experience that Glasgow have got and how we know they play, we knew the game was going to be a tough ask.
"The games against Scarlets and Bristol were different. We knew Glasgow were going to be much more physical and were going to test us that little bit more. We came off second best, but not by much. It is not enough to get our heads down too much.
"There are lots of things we're trying this year, even compared to what we were doing last year, and it can take a while to grasp all of that. We dealt well with it the last few weeks but the Glasgow game just showed us we need to iron out a few bits and pieces.
"We have got such a good squad, it is just about getting your head down, looking through the video, making sure we're getting things right this week for Northampton – because that is going to be an even bigger test in the Premiership.".
Words by Mark Stevens
Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club / Pinnacle Photo Agency
