With the regular season wrapped and title decided, all teams now focus their attentions on the play-offs, and making the BUCS Super Rugby grand finale at the StoneX.

Coming into the final game of the season, everything was still all to play for. Just a point separated us and arch-rivals Loughborough at the top of the table. We faced a trip to an out of form Bath side, whereas as the African Violet faced a very difficult trip to Cyncoed for a game versus Cardiff Met.

Despite distractions elsewhere, the boys knew there was firstly a job to do in the Southwest. With the rain thundering down at Bath, a bonus point victory was a long way from certainty.

Despite going behind early doors, EURFC replied in style with Barton-Byfield and Armstrong accompanying a Josh Barton penalty. This gave a substantial 12-point advantage at the break. Elsewhere, a Cardiff Met victory looked promising as they went into the changing rooms 3 points to the good.

However, the Exeter boys had to remain level-headed and secure victory. An early penalty from Bath got them back into the game but tries from Milo Hallam and a very late bonus point score from Archie Hill guaranteed victory.

To secure top spot a big second half performance was still needed from Met, however, it was not to be. Falling just short of a historic victory, Loughborough ran out winners at Cyncoed and of BUCS Super Rugby.

Centre Max Courtis was “gutted not to win the league” title but “losing the league by 1 point, 2 years in a row” has given all the boys that extra “incentive to win the final”.

Max ‘the axe’ Courtis has been a stalwart not just this season but for the past 4 years, but that time is now coming towards an end. With an any match potentially his last in the knock out stages, many would assume a shift in mindset, however Courtis does not see it that way: “It gives an edge of desire and determination”.

Cardiff Met are familiar opponents of ours, with the 2 league meetings earlier this season, which Courtis was kick to mention “we’ve come out on top twice” in those game. Additionally, we drew them in the semi-finals last season, with that high scoring affair again falling in our favour.

A key part of our home victory earlier in the season was the style of rugby played. A big factor allowing the boys to maintain this form of play throughout the match is playing on the rubber crumb. With the boys saying, “the crumb does suit us” and with the ability to get the “crowed around the sides” it is certainly “not a easy place to come”.

TEAM NEWS

Trying to keep our excellent form going Rich Hodges wants to keep momentum and squad cohesion going as much as possible. As a result, there are just 2 changes to the line up that won at Bath 2 weeks ago.

The only change in the pack sees Harvey Dunn return to the starting XV in the place of the injured Oli Burrows. Josh Cunningham starts his first BUCS knockout game in the 2nd row alongside try scorer last week Milo Hallam. The backrow consists of Dorrell, Bralsford and de Boehmler, those 3 forming a formidable partnership together over the last couple of weeks.

In the back line, the exciting duo of Armstrong and Barton maintain starting roles at half backs, with their game management sublime in the recent weeks. The centres also remain the same with the aforementioned Courtis partnered by Archie Hill. EURFC top try scorer Kofi Barton-Byfield starts on one flank, with Dan John coming in the other. Max Bliss continues his return from injury, starting back-to-back games in the 15 shirt.

On the bench, Scott Butterworth makes his return to the side, his first selection since the end of November. Elsewhere Sam Higginson also makes his return from injury after missing out for much of the new year.

With less than 24 hours to go till our biggest match of the season yet, it is certainly not one to miss out on.

Follow live match updates throughout the game tomorrow over on @EURFC on twitter.