Exeter Chiefs side to face Connacht
Rob Hunter believes Exeter Chiefs will deliver a rapid response this weekend as they look to get their European Challenge Cup campaign back on track against visiting Connacht tomorrow (3pm).
Undone at the death by a late try from Bayonne’s Lisiate Fa’aoso a week ago, the Chiefs are looking to put to bed the disappointing 30-24 loss at the Stade Jean Dauger by delivering a powerful display on home soil.
Already this term Harlequins and London Irish have been accounted for at Sandy Park in the Aviva Premiership, whilst Leicester Tigers were pushed all the way in the other league fixture to have graced the Devon turf. Forwards coach Hunter knows the Chiefs pride themselves on delivering on home soil and he has re-iterated this week the need for Exeter to put on a display against the Irish province, who themselves got their latest European adventure off to a flying start with a 48-12 win at home to Le Rochelle.
“It has been an interesting reaction from the lads,” he said.
“It has been a really good learning week and it will be equally interesting to see how we go this weekend. “We’re very lucky to be back at home in front of our own supporters again. We were disappointed by last weekend because we felt the game was winnable. It’s a new game this weekend to focus on and we’re looking forward to it.
“We have played better this season but there were quite a few guys there who haven’t played much rugby – and in patches we were still very good, when you consider we were away in France.”
As always the Chiefs have spent the past week undergoing a detailed assessment of tomorrow’s visitors and Hunter has been quietly impressed by what he has seen of the Irish outfit.
“They are a good side and their record in the Heineken Cup shows they are a very tough side to beat,” said Hunter.
“They scored a lot of points last week, have players in great form and they will be looking forward to coming here and having a real crack at us. “At the same time, we are pushing hard and not only do we want to beat Connacht, but we want to kick into the LV= Cup and then back into the Premiership in really good shape.”
Certainly the Chiefs have been in fine form this season, accruing four wins from a possible six in the Premiership – and even though they came unstuck at Bayonne a week ago, Hunter feels the losing bonus point could yet be deemed vital in the end game.
“You have to get points wherever you can get them in this competition. Points away from home are important and I imagine that will be very important to us,” added Hunter.
“But you always want to play well at home and we have had a real attitude about us this year at home. We love playing here and the crowd are so supportive, even when we lose, it is a very special place to play rugby, so we are hoping to put on a bit of a display.” With victory vital to keep Exeter’s European aspirations alive, it’s little surprise that the Chiefs have selected a powerful squad for tomorrow’s game. Scottish international Moray Low and Don Armand are the sole survivors from the Bayonne game to start in the pack, while behind the back division is virtually transformed with the exception of winger Jack Nowell, who was this week named in Stuart Lancaster’s 33-man England squad for the upcoming Autumn internationals.
Tickets for tomorrow’s game are available either online from the official club website or can be bought from the ticket office (which opens at 12pm) on the day of the game itself.
Chiefs side to face Connacht
15 Chrysander Botha
14 Jack Nowell
13 Henry Slade
12 Sam Hill
11 Matt Jess
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Will Chudley
1 Ben Moon
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Moray Low
4 Don Armand
5 Damian Welch
6 Dave Ewers
7 Ben White
8 Thomas Waldrom
16 Elvis Taione
17 Brett Sturgess
18 Tomas Francis
19 Sireli Naqelevuki
20 Kai Horstmann
21 Dave Lewis
22 Ian Whitten
23 Fetu’u Vainikolo
