Last year the Exeter Chiefs flourished and it was superb to see, they are a side that have been developing season on season and I expect them to continue to do so during the 2015/16 competition.
As he always does Rob Baxter has signed astutely and boosted an already healthy squad in the right areas. Geoff Parling will fill the gap left in the second row due to Dean Mumm's departure and Julian Savli will add to an already powerful back-row unit. In James Short and Olly Woodburn, Baxter has added finishers that are hungry to be given an opportunity on the Premiership stage and we all know that this season is about squad depth. At the recent Aviva Premiership Launch Rob Baxter was open about his game plan heading into the marathon campaign ahead:
“My approach is that this is a fantastic opportunity to show that you are the kind of player and that we are the kind of club that is able to deal with the schedule in a very positive way. We want to show that in week 20 we can still be the team that is flying and looking forward to getting stuck into the big games because that is what it is going to take.”
“It is going to be as much of a mental battle as it is physical and I think that the teams that can keep it fresh and keep enjoying it bouncing between tough Premiership games and tough European games are going to be the sides that come the end of the season will look back with some pleasure at what will have been a tough year.”
The prospect of Sam Hill and Henry Slade continuing to develop their relationship in the centres is one that I cannot wait to see and I'm sure Michele Campagnaro will add much to proceedings after a solid Rugby World Cup. Undoubtably Tomas Francis will have benefited greatly from his International experience with Wales and you expect that Luke Cowan-Dickie will want to prove a point after his narrow miss in terms of England selection.
The confidence and belief that the Exeter Chiefs will bring into this Aviva Premiership season must not be underestimated. I do not say that in a patronising or condensing manner, far from it. Instead, the point is that it is much easier to press on after a wholly positive season as opposed to an indifference or frustrating one.
From Rob Baxter's perspective the focus is to develop ‘true consistency’ and by that he means profiting from the moments in seasons against sides that you are supposed to beat as well as delivering in the larger games. Last season Exeter had a great track record against the sides that finished above them however less so against sides that finished lower down the Aviva Premiership table.
From Rob Baxter's perspective the focus is to develop ‘true consistency’ and by that he means profiting from the moments in seasons against sides that you are supposed to beat as well as delivering in the larger games. Last season Exeter had a great track record against the sides that finished above them however less so against sides that finished lower down the Aviva Premiership table.
All in all the Exeter Chiefs are poised and ready for the season ahead and without question a place in the top four should be their goal. They have a great mix of a strengthen squad, a wealth of young talent and the motivation of being so close last season.
Players In - Geoff Parling from Leicester Tigers, Olly Woodburn from Bath Rugby, Michele Campagnaro from Benetton Treviso, Ollie Aktins from Edinburgh Rugby, Shaun Malton from Nottingham, Will Hooley from Northampton Saints, Harry Williams from Jersey, Julian Salvi from Leicester Tigers, Josh Jones from St Helens, Jonny Hill from Gloucester Rugby, James Short from London Irish
Players Out - Tom James to Cardiff Blues, Greg Bateman to Leicester Tigers, Dean Mumm to NSW Waratahs, Kieran Davies to Nottingham, Fetu’u Vainikolo to Oyonnax, Joe Conlon to Saracens, Ceri Sweeney to Pontypridd RFC, Will Carrick-Smith to Tasman Makos, James Scaysbrook (Retired)
