It's back on the AP horse this week...


Toot Toot

By Moorsman
April 14 2016

It's back on the AP horse this week for Exeter Chiefs following last weeks departure from the Champions Cup

Gloucester Rugby v Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs Damian Welch (left) is tackled by Gloucester Rugbys Richard Hibbard (right) during the

It's back on the AP horse this week for Exeter Chiefs following last weeks narrow loss and departure from the Champions Cup.  Although it was deeply dissapointing to come so close to progressing to a Semi Final spot there was a lot to like about the Chiefs performance.  As Rob Baxter put it in his post match interview had Jimmy Gopperth not converted the Wasps try we'd all be feeling a totally different set of emotions.  Nothing would have changed about the rest of our play but sometimes no matter how well you play things don't always turn out the way you planned.  My personal view is that I was mighty pleased to see the Chiefs satrting to regain their form from early in the season.  This bodes well for our last three 'league' games and sets Chiefs up well to not only gain our first plkay-off place but a home semi-final.  I think a 4 point win at Kingsholm will guarantee the former and defeating Wasps at Sandy Park the latter.

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter before the Aviva Premiership match at The Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

I don't think there will be any problem for Rob Baxter and his fellow coaches in getting the Chiefs players fired up for Friday night under the lights at Kingsholm.  With regards to the team I don't see many changes being made from last week although Phil Dollman would come straight back in as long as he's recovered from injury.  The forcast is a bit mixed and could make a strong forwards performance really important.  Thankfully the Chiefs pack has been boosted in recent weeks by the return of Damien Welch, Dave Ewers and Mitch Lees.  With Thomas Waldrom continuing to score freely this season I think the guys will be helping him to add to the 19 tries he's scored 'in all competitions' so far this season.

Exeter Chiefs Thomas Waldrom breaks clear to score his sides second try of the game during the Europ

The backs have also been buoyed with the return of Henry Slade (injury), Jack Nowell and Michele Campagnaro (International duty).  Steeno is likely to Captain the side and he'll also be looking to push his season's tally on towards a possible Golden Boot award.

Exeters Gareth Steenson (centre) celebrates during the Aviva Premiership match at Twickenham Stoop,

It's a shame that a Friday evening game will limit the travelling Tribe but I'll be in The Shed with those that do travel and doing our best to roar the guys on.

 

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It's back on the AP horse this week...
Discussion started by thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged), 14/04/2016 10:49
thechiefstribe.com
thechiefstribe.com
14/04/2016 10:49
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OldWing
OldWing
14/04/2016 12:33
I think this will be a real test of character for the team. The interviews I've heard with some of them after the Wasps game made clear that they found the defeat more than 'deeply disappointing'. Ian Whitten in particular sounded pretty distraught. Getting them ready for another huge challenge at Kingsholm will be not an easy task. However, I'm confident that the coaches can do it and that the team can pull off the win we need. Gloucester will also be smarting after their more unexpected defeat and hopefully we can use that to our advantage.

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ExTeddChief
ExTeddChief
14/04/2016 20:28
I'll be at the Hole in the Wall. Win and we secure a playoff spot - bloody hell!

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boston chief
boston chief
15/04/2016 12:38
Im struggling to work out if the forcast heavy rain is to our advantage or not! Might be helpful if we are able to drive their pack back. It could prove tricky to get a TBP though. Any thoughts? Hopefully the travelling tribe will be warm and dry in the inner reaches of the Shed.

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