Exeter Chiefs
Clermont Preview
EPC Champions Cup
By Tommy Hawkeye
December 9 2015
So here we go with Europe once again. We sit in second but Clermont sit top, something has to give and after our performance at the weekend it might not be Chiefs this time around but more of that later.
Chiefs v Clermont
Preview
Before anything else I would like to wish Henry a full and speedy recovery on behalf of everyone.
So here we go with Europe once again. We sit in second but Clermont sit top, something has to give and after our performance at the weekend it might not be Chiefs this time around but more of that later.
I have some great memories of the European adventure both here at Chiefs and a dozen years ago at Sale before we moved to Devon permanently. The Toulon trip was obviously a highlight as was Dublin but watching Sale in Biarritz was something special especially as it was played in San Sebastian.
To get to the ground in San Sebastian you walk a mile or so down a beautiful open boulevard which ends at a giant roundabout in front of the stadium and of course you stop for the odd libation along the way. Every Biarritz supporter id decked in red from head to toe and the atmosphere is electric.
It was at the last bar before the roundabout that I bumped into the recently retired Jos Baxendell who I had coached at Wilmslow before he moved to Sale and England. The atmosphere had certainly got to him as he actually put his hand in his pocket and bought a round of drinks but more importantly he had never realised just what goes on away from the pitch and said had he done so he would have been even more nervous than ever when taking to the pitch. He knew the games were important but he had no idea of just what the build up to a game was like and that’s probably the same for most players involved in the game today.
In my day we had big games in the friendly fixtures we played and of course John Player Cup games would attract four figure crowds but rarely five figures. Even when you had big crowds they were much more restrained with the possible exception of Gloucester of course because they have always been mad in the nicest possible way that is. Today it is completely different and the excitement start before the season and that’s just when the draw is made.
Which brings us back to Saturday and the arrival at Sandy Park of Clermont. Should we be worried? Certainly not. Should we be excited? You bet your life we should be. Bring it on and enjoy it as always, win or lose.
We messed up our opening game at Ospreys which makes Saturday a must win game if we are to progress. As to what side we put on the field, I have no idea. Yes all the usual suspects will be in place but we will have to wait and see if Armand and Ewers are fit to play because we know for sure we will have to take them on up front to have any chance which made our forward contribution at Wasps all the more encouraging because we were strong, hard and aggressive so is all we have to do on Saturday is raise that superb performance by 50% and we’ll have no problem.
We have a front row able to challenge a French front row and a bench who can keep their efforts going when fatigue steps in. It’s always been a fact that the tight head is the cornerstone of the pack and with Francis and Low both playing so well we look in good shape. We look tight in the second row whoever we pick, my choice would be Lees and Welch, and Jack’s throwing has been working particularly well. Therefore we should be looking for parity as a minimum.
The overworked Will Chudley will have his work cut out when he takes on the referee’s assistant Parra. I was never Will’s greatest fan when he joined the club, I thought he took too many paces and his pass was hit and miss but now I’m one of his biggest fans and despite having to lay every game he is playing out of his skin.
I expect Hill and Whitton will be our centre pairing but sadly it looks as though they won’t be facing Fofana and both Lopez and Brock James are doubtful for the weekend so Steeno might have another great day in front of him and both play and kick us to a win. However, we will have to behave because Parra will punish us if we don’t.
When the two sides met previously in this competition, all be it under a different name, it was a little like a junior side playing a senior side in the old days when we could hold them for fifty or sixty minutes until fatigue took its toll, the bench was not too strong and Clermont punished us. Today I believe we are much fitter than previously and the bench will be strong and should be able to slot in seamlessly. Game on.
Can we win? Yes.
Will we win? Yes.
So that’s two weeks running I’ve gone out on a limb but what the hell I’ve never gone into a game expecting to lose. Can’t wait.
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09/12/2015 14:21
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