Match Preview

With rest week behind us, BUCS Super Rugby returns for Exeter Uni with a trip to Cyncoed Campus for a heated match-up against Cardiff Met.

Coming off another victory against the other side in the Welsh capital, where the boys showed their class running out comfortable winners. Braces from Louie Gulley and Benjy Joseland secured victory with 15 minutes to go, and despite a late comeback it wasn’t enough to salvage anything from the game for Cardiff.

Following that 13th consecutive victory, stretching back to February, Exeter sit top of the league standings. Just 1 dropped bonus point all season, and already an 8-point gap to 2nd place, the start of the season couldn’t have gone better.

A key part of this excellent run has been fly-half Luca Mignot. Having lost the talismanic Josh Barton last year it was going to be tough for anyone to fill his boots, but Mignot has more than stepped up.

Having played at Bath University last season, he is no stranger to BUCS Super Rugby but is making new memories in Devon.
“The varsity game was a big one, and securing the win was definitely massive”. Playing at Sandy Park is a massive draw for the club and something many players never get the experience of playing at.

However, the big games and even bigger moments haven’t been to only things Mignot has been working on. Another notable highlight for him has been “being able to improve myself in training”, with not only him but the entire squad always looking to find that extra level.

Coming over from France initially and a former espoirs player for Stade Francais, Mignot has had plenty of pressure put upon him but has thrived so far. Leading the team to 6 wins from 6, something not achieved by any other Exeter 10.

Despite this being his first trip to Cyncoed Campus with EURFC, he already knows it as a “difficult place to go”. With Exeter having played out many a thriller including last season’s narrow victory in the torrential rain.

To beat Met, Mignot has highlighted the need “to focus on ourselves and trust our processes”, echoing the messages that have been coming from coaches Elliot and Hodges all season.

TEAM NEWS
Gareth Elliot has opted to make 4 changes to the side that beat Cardiff away. Both probs change as Jared Williams and Archie Owlett return to start in the place of Freeman and Gulley. After an impressive performance last week the younger Gulley keeps his spot as the starting hooker. The remainder of the pack remains the same, with Lucas Dorrell captaining on the flank.

With 2 quality scrum halves in the squad, it’s important for to get game time. This week Orson James starts over Jake Murray, with the latter ready on the bench to make an impact in the second half. The only other change in the back line sees a debut for Hugo Ellerby on the wing.

Plenty of familiar faces on the bench, as well as another potential BUCS Super Rugby debut for fly half Ben Coen who has really impressed in Nat 2 West this season.

You can follow the game live on Twitter (@ExeterUniRFC), as the boys look to go 7 from 7 at the start of the season and 6.30pm