January 29th, 2008

Chiefs looking for cup success

Exeter Chiefs continue their EDF Energy National Trophy journey this weekend hoping to move one step closer to booking a cup final appearance at England Rugby’s HQ.

The National Division 1 side have enjoyed three visits to Twickenham in five years, most recently last season reaching the final of the EDF Energy National Trophy only to return home with no silverware after a thrilling final against South West rivals the Cornish Pirates

Nine months ago they lost 19-16, but things have changed a lot for the Chiefs since then. A season and a half into his reign as Director of Rugby and Pete Drewett has seen Exeter rise to second in the league, winning 18 of their 21 fixtures so far and now they are through to the fifth round of the EDF Energy National Trophy.

Drewett said: “We are pleased with the way things are going this season. We have been doing well in the league, although a defeat to Bedford a couple of weeks ago has meant that we’ve dropped the pressure a little on Northampton at the top of the table, but there is still a long way to go in the season yet. We have made a lot of progress this season and now we turn our attentions to the cup which is a tournament we really enjoyed here in Devon.”

Indeed, Exeter have enjoyed some memorable times in the EDF Energy National Trophy, but success at the final hurdle has always eluded the South West side. They have reached the final three times and, to date, have never lifted the trophy and Drewett is hoping this can change.

He added: “This is a competition we take very seriously. We have come so close in the past, but never finished off the job and everyone at the club hopes that can change. This is an opportunity for the club to win something tangible and we would love to achieve it.”

But to do that the Chiefs will have to overcome Coventry at Sandy Park this Saturday, a side Exeter are no strangers to.

Drewett added: “We have already played Coventry in the league this season and picked up a win against them, but I think both Coventry and ourselves have improved a lot since then. They have had some changes in personnel but we know that from 1 to 15 Coventry are a strong outfit that can keep the ball tight but also score some good tries through their talented wingers. It is going to be a tough game but we are going into the match with home advantage and on the back of a good win against the Cornish Pirates so we are feeling confident.”

EDF Energy National Trophy, fifth round fixtures:

Ties to be played on Saturday, 02 February 2008 

Bedford Vs. Sedgley Park    
Birmingham & Solihull Vs. Plymouth Albion    
Doncaster Vs. Northampton    
Esher Vs. Blaydon    
Exeter Vs. Coventry    
Launceston Vs. Blackheath    
Nottingham Vs. London Welsh    
Rotherham Titans Vs. Manchester

Ends..

Notes to editors
EDF Energy is supporting rugby from the grassroots to the elite – through the EDF Energy Cup, EDF Energy National Trophy, EDF Energy Intermediate Cup, EDF Energy Senior and Junior Vase. At grassroots, the energy company is introducing 112,000 primary school children to the sport through the EDF Energy National Schools Rugby Programme. Parent company EDF was a sponsor of the IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 and EDF Energy an ITV broadcast sponsor. EDF is also a major partner of European Rugby Cup Ltd, organiser of the Heineken Cup and the European Challenge Cup.