Momentum is the Key for Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs take their seven-game winning streak to Kingsholm this Saturday with flanker James Scaysbrook insisting he and his team-mates must maintain their recent momentum over a busy festive period for the Devon club.

After back-to-back Heineken Cup victories over the Scarlets in the past fortnight, the Chiefs return to Aviva Premiership action against Gloucester this weekend, before then tackling Bath and Northampton Saints in successive weeks.

It's signals the start of a crucial period in the season for the sixth-placed Chiefs, but one which 30-year-old Scaysbrook says the club are relishing after they showed their worth once more in European rugby's top competition.

"Momentum is important," said Scaysbrook, who scored Exeter's final try in last Saturday's 30-20 win over the Welsh region. "We have had two big victories over the last two weeks and it has really lifted the squad. The Scarlets are a top-quality team with a lot of experienced internationals and we couldn’t ask for much more moving forward.

"Our focus over the last two weeks has just been to put in two really good performances and maintain our momentum. We hoped those good performances would lead to results and whatever comes after that we’ll take.
 
"We knew it was going to be a tough old game and it certainly was. I’m really pleased we managed to come away with the win again."

Scaysbrook, who led the side in the absence rested club captain Tom Hayes, was not only able to celebrate the win, but also his first try for the Chiefs since the Championship play-off encounter against London Welsh in March 2010.

"I think that was my first try since the Championship years, so I was really pleased to get over," added the all-action flanker. "That hole was so big, anyone could have run through it though."

Now, though, the former Bath forward wants more of the same against the Cherry & Whites, who themselves will be seeking revenge for last season's defeat by the Chiefs on home soil.

"It is important to keep the momentum going through the different competitions," said Scaysbrook. "We have some tough games over Christmas and the next few weeks so we will do all we can to maintain that form.

"Now we’re involved in the Heineken Cup the squad becomes more and more important and you have to use everyone. We have got a good strong squad now and it is building up all the time. It is going to be vital come the end of the year.

"We have had some tough battles with Gloucester over the years and I think this weekend will be no different."