Exeter Chiefs vs Northampton Saints - the battle for the final AP play-off place

Chiefs' top form irrelevant against Saints

BRETT Sturgess says Exeter Chiefs' form will count for nothing when they face Northampton on Sunday with a play-off place at stake.

Exeter have won seven of their last eight Aviva Premiership matches, a sequence only equalled by Leicester, to get themselves into the top four.

Saturday's 31-26 win at Worcester also saw them gain a place among Europe's elite in next season's Heineken Cup.

A victory against fifth-placed Northampton at a packed Sandy Park this weekend, while denying their visitors a bonus point, would see Rob Baxter's men secure a place in the league semi-finals.

That would mean their fate would not be riding on the last game of the regular season away to defending champions Saracens on May 5.

But with this weekend's game almost being a play-off to decide which side joins Harlequins, Leicester and Saracens in fighting it out for the title, Sturgess says recent results will have no bearing on the outcome.

"The form guide shows we have only lost one league game this year but it is almost knock-out rugby now, although we have got the Saracens game afterwards," said the prop. "Form goes out the window in games like this.

"Northampton had a loss at home against Leicester (35-21) which they'll be disappointed about so they'll come here hurting and, looking through their side, you can't take them for granted – they have world-class players."

Head coach Rob Baxter has been keen for his players to ignore the league table all season and not think too much about where a win could put them in the standings.

However, with the season drawing to a climax and the game against the Saints pivotal, the squad briefly discussed the permutations of this weekend's match when they got back together at Sandy Park on Tuesday.

Having got that out of the way at the start of the training week, Sturgess said the players have since been concentrating on what they have to do to beat Northampton.

"The guys aren't silly, if you look at the table you can see if we get a four-point win and prevent them getting anything it puts us in the semi-finals of the Premiership," he said.

"We spoke about that briefly earlier in the week to get it out the way and then just got on with preparing for Northampton.

"We have to close down Northampton and keep the scoreboard ticking over ourselves, not worry about points in the table.

"This is pretty much a winner-takes-all match and it's in our hands."

Sturgess made his return to action at Worcester as a replacement after Craig Mitchell was withdrawn from the team on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury.

As well as being his first match since breaking his right arm against Leicester Tigers in February, last weekend's game was also Sturgess' landmark 100th league appearance for the Chiefs.

And while he was always confident he could play again this term, the former Northampton loosehead admitted his return came a week earlier than even he had hoped for.

"When I went down against Leicester I was on 99 league games," Sturgess said.

"For me personally a massive goal was to get back and be involved in this latter stage of the season.

"It came a week ahead of when I wanted to put my hand up for selection so that was really pleasing.

"I told my surgeon I didn't want my season to peter out because I felt there could be some bigger games at the end of the season.

"It's by no means a given, we have some big games coming up and Northampton stand in our way at the moment, but to be in among it at this stage after the bad break I had, I'm really pleased."

Chiefs won't let praise go to their heads before key clash

BOSS Rob Baxter is keen to ensure his Exeter Chiefs players do not let the praise that has come their way this week go to their heads ahead of their crunch date with Northampton.

The Sandy Park outfit have the chance to sew up an Aviva Premiership semi-final place with one game to go when they take on the Saints on Sunday.

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Anyone who predicted such a scenario at the start of the season would have been laughed away in most quarters.

But now the maths are simple – if Baxter's men win and prevent Northampton claiming a bonus point of any description they will be in the mix for the title next month.

"We always say we'll talk to them like men and we won't run away from any issues," said Baxter.

"The issues at the minute are that we're in the top four with two rounds of the Premiership to go so people are going to be saying nice things about us.

"That's nice, it's a nice place to be, but the reality is you've got to remember why they're saying those nice things – what is it that's got us to fourth in the table, what is it that's got us winning games – and make sure we keep ramming that home and keep it as our focus.

"We won't change anything for Sunday, the key for us as a management group will be to keep giving the players the confidence to keep attacking the game and not to suddenly go quiet and worry about not making it to a semi-final or wonder what a win or a loss would do.

"You don't win games doing that, you've got to get after it and take what comes.

"We've secured something fantastic with Heineken Cup rugby next season and now there's another reward down the line."

Exeter secured their place in next season's Heineken Cup with a last-gasp 31-26 win at Worcester, their seventh victory from eight league games in 2012.

That run includes four wins in a row – their best sequence in the top flight – and Baxter said the reason for that was simple.

"Good teams and good players come good at this time of the year," said the head coach.

"We've hit some form because we've started to understand what wins games of Premiership rugby.

"That may sound a bit simplistic but sometimes over-focusing and worrying about the result almost stifles you and stops you playing as well as you can. It closes you down mentally and the way you can play the game.

"We are under pressure now because there's expectation from our supporters and rightly so, they would love to see us in a semi-final and they'll want and expect us to play well against Northampton. That's a nice pressure to have.

"I'd rather be working with a group of players that's fighting for something positive at this stage of the season than fighting at the bottom or consolidating in mid-table.

"Everything's worked out really well for us this season but it's about us getting our feet back on the ground, getting Worcester out of our systems and making sure we've learned from it, and focusing on Northampton."

Baxter wasn't entirely happy with some aspects of his side's display at Worcester – mainly in defence – and has looked to address that this week.

He must also decide whether Jason Shoemark and Craig Mitchell will be fit to return after missing the win against the Warriors.

Luke Arscott and Brett Sturgess returned to the squad in their absence, while Sireli Naqelevuki will be pushing for a start after bagging another try.

Northampton Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder says his side must beat Exeter this weekend to have a chance of reaching the Premiership play-offs.
The two sides are competing for the final spot in the play-offs at Sandy Park on Sunday.
Mallinder told BBC Northampton: "There has to be an edge. We have Worcester at home last game of the season and we want something to play for.
"It's a must-win. If we go to Exeter and get no points, we're out of it."

Saints have reached the Premiership play-off semi-finals in the previous two seasons.
They slipped behind Exeter in this campaign after a 21-35 defeat to East Midlands rivals Leicester Tigers at Franklin's Gardens, while the Chiefs secured a late, bonus point win at Worcester.
"The players knew immediately after the [Tigers] game we didn't play to our best," said Mallinder.
"We always said it would be a difficult season. The World Cup hasn't helped us and we had a poor start. We recovered and now we're fighting for that top four.
"It will be satisfying if we can pull off [a win]. Exeter have talked about being underdogs all along and they've gone quietly about their business very well.
"Last year they beat us convincingly [at Sandy Park] with our international players away and they'll be playing full of confidence. It's going to be very, very difficult."

Brendan wrote:I really hope that Exter win
If they lose but Saints don't get a TBP and Exeter get a LBP and Saints win their Last game with no TBP what do Exeter need from their last game

They would need a win wouldn't they

Rennie ready for bruising encounter with Saints in season-defining match

Exeter Chiefs' victory over Worcester Warriors secured them a Heineken Cup spot last weekend, but centre Bryan Rennie believes this season still has much more to offer.

A five-point home win against Northampton Saints on Sunday will extend the Devon men's dream season to include an Aviva Premiership semi-final, and possibly a final.

The Saints are two points behind fourth-placed Chiefs with two games to go. An Exeter win with a bonus point would put them out of reach for a top-four, semi-final spot.

Rennie says none of the squad are content merely with their outstanding achievements to date.

"We know Northampton are a fantastic side and there is a lot resting on this game," said Rennie.

"But as happy as the players are to be in the Heineken Cup – which is fantastic – they are all concentrating on this weekend.

"It is a great achievement for the club so far but we're not resting on our laurels.

"We don't see that as all we're going to achieve this season. This weekend and even next weekend are massive for the club."

Chiefs have become accustomed to making teams worry more about them than the other way around this season. Sunday's match with Saints will be no different says Rennie.

"We are expecting a really tough and physical game from Northampton," said Rennie. "But we're just going to concentrate on things we can do and play to our strengths.

"The boys are enjoying their rugby and it makes a difference when you're winning games."

Those victories have come consistently this season, although rarely by huge winning margins. Last week's decisive 31-26 win at Sixways was just the sort they might have lost in previous seasons.

"We were happy to get the win away from Worcester but we know it will be a different story this week," said Rennie. "We've all been in positions where we've lost those types of games. It is nice to be on the other side when you're coming away with the wins right at the death.

"It also shows the character of the boys. They are prepared to fight and work for each other for the full 85 minutes.

"We keep knuckling down and it is good to see us getting a few rewards.

"Heineken Cup will be a new challenge but is one we want to be involved in as players.

"We want to play against the best. A couple of years ago this club was playing in the Championship and guys may not have thought this was going to happen but there is a good ethos and culture here. Everybody is over the moon and hopefully we can keep improving as a side."

But although Chiefs have rightly allowed themselves a slightly more bullish tone in recent weeks, they are unwilling to speculate on far their run to the play-offs can eventually go.

"We won't think any further than this weekend," said Rennie. "There is no point looking too far into the future and worrying about games that may or may not happen. We'll just concentrate purely on this weekend and take it from there."

And just as Rennie refuses to look too far into the future, he also resists the temptation to dwell on the past. Northampton beat Chiefs 33-3 at Franklin's Gardens earlier in the season.

"You can't really harp on about previous situations too much," said Rennie.

"You just have to think about the present and look at ways we can improve this Sunday.

"We won't look at the last time we played them, we know it will be a difficult game. The boys are looking forward to the challenge and hopefully we can play well.

"It is also the last game of the season at Sandy Park and we'd like to give the supporters something to shout about because they have been fantastic all year and we really appreciate that.

"The boys are all excited and can't wait to get out there."

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

Brendan wrote:I really hope that Exter win
If they lose but Saints don't get a TBP and Exeter get a LBP and Saints win their Last game with no TBP what do Exeter need from their last game

They would need a win wouldn't they

Brendan, pretty sure that under your scenario above, the Chiefs could not qualify for the playoffs even with a TBP in our last game (away to Sarries, so quite a big ask!)

funnyExiledScot wrote:Who'd have thought Bryan Rennie would step forward to play such a key role for the Chiefs. Always thought he was average until recently.

Wanting the Chiefs to win this, but I must say I think the Saints will sneak it.

Slightly surprised too see Myler instead of Lamb, but there you go.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Sure, but chopping and changing hasn't done the Saints any favours this season. Personally I'd stick with Lamb, a better player in my view, but I guess Myler is the solid safer option. Not sure that's how Saints should play the game though.

I can see the sense both ways though.

They need to either stick with one or ditch both and work on Ford's brother and buy another.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:Hey ASBO,

if the Chiefs get the Warriors in the Heino - who ya gonny shout for ?

Taffineastbourne wrote:Hope the Chiefs leave nothing behind and get what they deserve.
As a Dragons fan(Dolman connection) I can relate to them.
Ashton plays for Saints.I cannot relate to him.
Saints seem like Tigers-.Not too keen on Tigers.Always prefered Rugby with a smile to a snarl.Tigers and Saints both fail to have grasped this.You can win with a smile and lose with a smile.These two do both with a grimace.
Go Chiefs!!!!!!!!!!