Boxing Day's match versus Bath at The Rec will mark the half way point of Exeter Chiefs inaugural Premiership campaign.  With 5 wins and 22 points under their belts so far (3 points more than Bath) what will this match and the New Year bring?

Well, let's deal with the Bath game first.  Firstly there remains a big question mark as to whether it will go ahead because temperatures are forecast to remain very low.  A postponement will leave a capacity crowd disappointed about not seeing the game but maybe relieved to avoid sitting/standing and risking frost-bite!  Should the game go ahead given the Chiefs Premiership performances and Bath's indifferent form there's very reason to hope they'll take at least a LBP from the game.  However this won't satisfy the squad and coaches who will be plotting a second away win.  Rob Baxter has stated on many occasions that the Chiefs will attack every game and enjoy the occasion.  There should be something like 500 in the Away Tribe contingent which would have been a larger number had more tickets been available.  The numbers aren't important though as we're a noisy lot and the Tomohawk Chop will be ring around the Rec no matter how the game goes.

Now to the second half of the season.  No matter what happens on Boxing Day the Chiefs will start from a base of 22 points.  All the other Prem sides will have some idea of how the Chiefs have played against them but must still be uncertain what to expect.  That is other than the total commitment and fearlessness shown so far.  None of the Chiefs players are guaranteed a staring place with all having to perform at their best to stay in the match day squad. 

I suggested in an earlier article that 34 points should be good enough to ensure a second season of Prem rugby at Sandy Park.  Only one side has been relegated with 6 wins i.e. Saints in season 06/07 who had a final points total of 33.  The other relegated sides managed to amass 12, 17, 28 and 28.  Whilst I'm sure Rob Baxter is more focussed on securing a mid-table if not top six finish I'm sure he'll understand my looking at what might be required to avoid relegation (note to self: you really must have more belief!!). Having said this I cannot see any way that we will not secure enough points to not only avoid relegation but put ourselves in a position to make a genuine assault on European Rugby or even a Play-Off place (and we do love play-offs).

I am really looking forward to the rest of the season before booking my appointment with the surgeon to remove the smile but matbe I'll just leave it in place for a few more seasons!

Come On You Chiefs