Match Preview

Just 1 week one and we’ve just got over last week’s performance. A side we played out the most entraining game in BUCS history in April, comfortably beaten just 6 months later.

Despite the pressure being on and quality opposition in front of them, the boys in green and white set off at 100mph. Tries in the opening 15 minutes from Orson James and Seb Driscoll put the game firmly in Exeter’s control. Despite a try from Loughborough, James soon scored a second try to maintain the advantage at the break.

If there weren’t enough titanic battles between these two great rivals, then the second half certainly made sure there were. The visitors drew first blood, reducing the gap to just 5 points and making things interesting. However, Benjy Joseland responded almost immediately. This would prove to be the spark Exeter and Joseland needed. Wimbush scored shortly after, before Joe Vajner, a Jake Muray double, and a try-of-the-season contender from Joseland.

A week on from that incredible game we focus our attention on Swansea, and potentially a record-breaking 11th consecutive win in what has already been an incredible start to the season.

We perhaps head into this one as slight favourites but as Seb Driscoll says “there are no easy games in BUCS Super Rugby”.

This is especially apparent with the “weather looking like it might be quite wet and rainy” and with St. Helen’s never being an easy place ago the boys needed to stay alert.

“We’ve got to focus on the process and make sure we right and wrongs from last week”.

After impressing over the summer for Wales U20s, Driscoll has big boots to fill in the No. 8 shirt. Taking over from last season’s captain and talisman Ollie Leatherbarrow, many wouldn’t be able to cope with the pressure. However, with 3 tries in the first 3 games, the Harlequins man has proved any doubters wrong.

He was also a key part of what he believes is “one of the clubs biggest ever wins”, and it’s hard to disagree with him.

A 31-point victory over your arch-rivals, on home turf made it even sweeter for Driscoll: “It’s always good to get a win at Topsham especially against Loughborough and especially in that manner.”

A big focus for him and the team this year has been the double, with the boys “speaking about it a lot”.

“It’s a massive goal that drives the boys forward in every session and every gym session, especially in those early mornings”.

TEAM NEWS

Gareth Elliot has seen this game as a chance to give a couple of boys their first BUCS starts of the season. That includes both props as Chris Freeman and Tom Gulley, replace Williams and Owlett who drop to the bench. Behind them are the Chiefs pairing of Bailey and Bell, who are already proving to be a strong partnership. Joining Driscoll in the back row is standout performer this year Jack Forsythe and the returning captain of Lucas Dorrell.

James and Mignot remain the halfbacks after both have started the season incredibly, with James already notching up 3 tries this season. The outstanding partnership of McCaig and Ribbons is in the centers. Man of the match last week Benjy Joseland remains at fullback, and whilst he is joined by Wimbush on one side, Ed Volley comes in on the other wing for his first start in BUCS Super Rugby.

Plenty of familiar figures on the bench including Young, Owlett, Cunningham, Bowen, Murray, and Jared Williams, the man with the most appearances out of the current squad. Elsewhere on the bench, there are potential BUCS debuts. Both Woody Pugh and Hugo Ellerby have massively impressed in National League 2 recently and have been rewarded for their efforts.

A huge win last week now needs to be backed up by another big performance away from home, at a tricky place to come.

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