Mumm says Chiefs are in for 'one hell of a match'

Dean Mumm insists Exeter Chiefs can expect a formidable test when they welcome London Wasps to Devon this Saturday in the Aviva Premiership (5.30pm).

Like many at Sandy Park, the experienced Australian international clearly noted the display put in by Dai Young's side a week ago as they overcame Leicester Tigers 14-12 to record their fourth top flight win of the season.

The same day, however, the Chiefs were also in winning form as they recorded their first Premiership away scalp of the 2012/13 season with a maiden 27-23 success at London Irish.

It was a victory which helped stretch Exeter's unbeaten run to four games in all competitions and lifted them to sixth place in the Premiership, just five points behind league leaders and defending champions Harlequins.

However, Mumm - who joined the Chiefs in the summer from the Super 15 outfit Waratahs back in September - knows that for his side to maintain their position amongst the division's frontrunners, they will have to be at their very best against this weekend's visitors.

"We have got a very tough game against Wasps at Sandy Park," warned Mumm. "We have had good results there this season, and it is important for us to continue that, and mix that up by hopefully picking up some more away wins. The fact that Wasps got a win against Leicester proves we are in for one hell of a match.

"We are nine rounds into the league season and now is moving time, really. It is a time when things start to develop. There is a core bunch at the top, but it seems to be a very even Premiership, and teams, particularly at home, can beat any other team on their day, and it continues to be that way."

But buoyed by their victory over Irish, Mumm is keen for Rob Baxter's side to kick on strongly during what is a busy December month of Premiership and Heineken Cup action.

"We are very happy with the victory, perhaps not in the way that it came about, but it is important to win those games away from home if you have got aspirations to finish high up the league," said the 33-cap Wallaby. "We started the game really well. It was a real focus of ours to try and go there and release the pressure on us. Playing away from home, it is easier if you get a good start and you can put the pressure on the home team, and I think we did that reasonably well.

"The main issue was we didn't sustain that throughout the game; 21-3 was a significant lead and it was important for us to try and maintain that, but you can't fault the excellent start we made and it gave us a lot of confidence."

After a two-week lay-off during the LV= Cup, Mumm was among a number of frontline stars restored to first team duty at the Madejski Stadium and it didn't take any of them very long to make their mark as the Chiefs raced into a 21-3 lead in as many minutes.

"We were certainly raring to go and there was plenty of positive chat going into the game and everybody was really ready for it," he said. "I think it helped us that the boys that played in the LV= Cup matches in the previous two weeks were excellent, and that really spurred us on.

"It just shows you that you are not safe in your position in the team. Exeter have a squad that has really good depth, and that showed in the LV= Cup. It was probably time for the guys who had had a break to come out and put in a performance, and perhaps we did that early on, but it definitely wasn't an 80-minute performance."

Indeed, as Mumm eluded too, Exeter's impressive opening quarter was not followed up for the remainder of the match as the inclement weather and some option taking allowed Irish back into the contest.

"The weather came in, not horrendously, but it was a factor, and the momentum swung back Irish's way," explained Mumm. "The really good teams can control periods when the momentum goes against them and that is the real challenge for us going forward, but the important thing is that we really ground out that win.

"When the momentum does change and you are up against it, it is important to stay strong, and I thought we did that in the latter stages of the match. The lead certainly disappeared, and I am only new to this team, but what I understand is that Exeter are not a team that lacks character, and I think that showed once again on Sunday. It was very important for us to get an away win, and hopefully, it will be a springboard for things going forward."

Tickets for Saturday's game are still available either through the Trading Post, which is open 10am to 4pm, or online via the Exeter Chiefs website.