March 11th, 2008

Chiefs dreaming of Twickenham finale

Exeter Chiefs are hungry to emulate their EDF Energy National Trophy achievements last year and this time around lift the prestigious domestic trophy.

The Devon National Division 1 outfit, who have enjoyed three visits to Twickenham in the past five years, are just one step away from matching last year’s efforts with a semi-final clash against league rivals Nottingham this Saturday.

A year ago the Chiefs were forced to settle for second best after a thrilling final against South West rivals the Cornish Pirates in which they lost 19-16 at Twickenham.

“We are delighted to be through to the final four,” said Director of Rugby Pete Drewett. “After getting to the final last year this is the right track to be on if we are to emulate our form a year ago which we are eager to do. It’s important for us to get this far and beyond because cup rugby is an important part of our season.”

Nottingham will of course prove tough opponents to overcome with the Midlanders just one place behind Exeter in the league table. They also made the Chiefs work hard for their league victory when the two sides met earlier in the season at Sandy Park, losing narrowly 20-15.

Drewett added: “Nottingham will of course be the biggest challenge of the Trophy so far. We have pretty much mirrored each other in the league this season and we only just beat them earlier in the season so we know this is going to be a tough encounter.

“They too are playing some great rugby. They are strong all round which is why they are in the position they are in the league, and can clearly play attacking rugby with flare

“However, we are going really well too. We go into this game on the back of two good leagues games in which we have scored 36 and 62 points in both matches. We also didn’t concede any points. Now we just have to ensure we prepare as thoroughly and professionally as we can to be on top of things come Saturday.”

For Nottingham they have been twice beaten semi-finalists in what is now the EDF Energy Cup and fell at the same hurdle in the Trophy two years ago when Harlequins ran out easy winners at Beeston.
 
"I think the difference between now and then was that we never really believed that we could beat Harlequins," said Nottingham captain Craig Hammond. "This week we feel that we have got a good opportunity of winning and going to Twickenham.

"It's a hard draw because Exeter, a bit like us, don't lose many games at home.  But we gave them a hard game at Sandy Park earlier in the season so we will take encouragement from that.
 
"If you had said to me at the start of the season that we would be sitting third in the table and in the semi-final of the Trophy, I would have taken that.
 
"We are still a part-time squad in a division where a lot of the sides are full time. The key is that we have kept most of the squad together for three or four years.
  
"The Trophy has given us a focus, it's something that we can win and we know that if we perform well at Exeter in front of a big crowd then we can go and play at Twickenham which would be a great day out for our supporters."

Plymouth Albion are also in action this weekend with their semi-final EDF Energy National Trophy against league leaders Northampton Saints.
 
"It is a massive game for us and for Plymouth," said Northampton's director of rugby Jim Mallinder. "Their league form hasn’t been great but in the National Trophy they have been unstoppable with a series of powerful and professional performances.
 
"We had a tough, physical game at the Brickfields in January and know that we will be in another on Saturday, particularly with a place at Twickenham at stake. Every club wants to win silverware and it is a big incentive for all of the players involved."
 
Northampton are unbeaten in league and trophy rugby this season though that record received a stern test from an unexpected source last Saturday when they scrambled an unconvincing 27-17 at bottom club Pertemps Bees thanks to late tries from Mark Easter and Paul Diggin.

“We didn’t have the best of games against Pertemps Bees and know that if we repeat that performance then we will be in real trouble against Plymouth," Mallinder said.
 
“We will be working hard this week to try and make sure that doesn’t happen. We will be giving Plymouth every respect, as we do every side we come up against.”

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.