Hayes predicts a stern test from Glasgow

Tom Hayes expects a real shift in focus from the Exeter Chiefs over the coming week as the countdown to the new Aviva Premiership draws ever closer, writes Mark Stevens.

The Devon club will wrap up their pre-season programme this Saturday when they welcome Glasgow Warriors to Sandy Park (3pm) – and just one week before they kick-off their league opener away to Northampton Saints.

Having overcome Scarlets (23-15) and Bristol (51-7) in their opening two friendlies, Irishman Hayes expects the visiting Scotsmen to pose a stern test in the club’s final work-out.

“We played them up at their place last year and it was a tough game,” admitted Hayes. “It’s our last game before we start the Premiership – and it’s their last game before they start the Pro12 – so I think there will be a real focus from both teams to do well. It’s important from our perspective that we get up to speed with a high intensity, so that we’re ready to go for that Northampton game.”

Rob Baxter’s side have already shown in their two previous friendlies that preparations are progressing nicely, but even former skipper Hayes knows there is still more to come from the Chiefs.

“We’re pleased with where we are for this stage of the season,” added Hayes. “We wanted to build on the Scarlets game because the game was very much weather affected for both sides, so against Bristol we wanted to get through a bit more work keeping the ball in hand. We’ve made a few changes to out attack over the summer and we’ve been working hard on certain areas and I thought a fair bit of that came to fruition.”

Certainly the Premiership club had too much for Bristol in all areas of the game, but in attack particularly they dominated as they ran in eight tries through Ben White, Henry Slade (2), Ian Whitten, Tom Johnson, Fetu’u Vainikolo, Stuart Townsend and Tom James.

“They’re is plenty to work on,” assessed Hayes at the final whistle. “There were a few opportunities where we didn’t build enough scores off our own set-piece. That said, we did create some scores off big pressure defence where we managed to win turnovers and score off that. That was a big bonus for us and something we set out to do before the game.

“We also managed to get some tries off receiving kick-offs and choosing to run from our own 22 when it was the right option to do so. As I said, though, we need to do more on trying to score off our set-piece work, so that’s sure to be a focus this next week or so.”

Among those to shine on Saturday was young fly-half Henry Slade, who was one of five Exeter players who this summer helped the England Under-20s to lift the Junior World Championship in France.

The Plymouth-born back (pictured) not only helped himself to a couple of tries, but he also fired over a further 11 points with the boot courtesy of four conversions and a penalty.

Hayes says the growing reputations of the club’s highly-rated youngsters is not only great news for the Chiefs, but also helps provides another lift in standards across the board.

He continued: “The boys have obviously had a good summer with the England Under-20s and they are bringing an awful lot of confidence from that. You can see they are all stepping up and that they’re not afraid to show their quality when in the team.”

Likewise, the seven new additions that Baxter has brought into the Chiefs squad during the summer are also helping to play their part and Hayes says the quality that exists within the ranks is rising all the time.

“Every since Rob took over in the Championship, year on year we’ve continued to bring in quality players,” said Hayes.

“Not only is that lifting performances out on the field, but it’s doing the same in training. Everyone who is here is pushing hard for a place and now we have a lot of players in the squad who can easily step into the first team come the start of the Premiership.” - See more at: http://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/focus-is-the-key-for-hayes/#sthash.9S...

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency