Ali Hepher wants to see Exeter Chiefs remain 'ultra-competitive' as play-offs loom

Andrew Baldock 17:58 27/04/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Ali Hepher of the Exeter Chiefs

    Exeter have already cruised into this season’s Premiership play-offs but head coach Ali Hepher wants to see the Chiefs remain “ultra-competitive.”

    Victory over visitors Sale Sharks on Saturday would see the reigning champions finish top heading into next month’s play-offs, when they are guaranteed a home tie.

    “Although we don’t necessarily need the points on the table, if you look at it like that, the important thing is the guys remain ultra-competitive about keeping the jersey as they go through,” Hepher said.

    “They have to fight, they have to scrap, and their level of performance will be scrutinised and we have to see who is performing best when it comes to those semi-finals.

    “It’s the perfect test for us going into these last few weeks.

    “Sale have been physical, aggressive and abrasive over the last few weeks, so we’ve got to make sure that we are on the front foot from the outset, play the style of Rugby we want to play, and be nice and direct so that we capitalise on any space that we get.”

    Steve Diamond has no doubt that Sale will require victory in their quest for a top-six finish and automatic Champions Cup qualification.

    Sale are currently seventh, two points behind Gloucester, with their final game being a home clash against Leicester next week.

    “The reality is that we lost against Bath in the last minute and at Newcastle in the last minute,” Diamond told www.salesharks.com.

    “That has done us over in terms of finishing fourth, and I think we need to win both our remaining games.

    “We are still a bit of a nearly team in my opinion, so our recruitment over the summer will be such that we need some experience to come in to alleviate situations so that we don’t give teams a 20-point start or lose in the last minute.

    “The lads have certainly not put the cue in the rack. They are not on their holidays, and if we can get a win at the weekend it will probably set up the biggest game in the competition against Leicester on the last day.”

    Bath’s hopes of a top-six finish are slender to say the least, with bonus point victories required in their last two fixtures against Gloucester at Kingsholm on Saturday and home to London Irish, and Gloucester collecting nothing from Bath or final day opponents Saracens, plus Sale losing twice.

    “We’ve got to be really smart tactically because Gloucester do play,” Bath Rugby director Todd Blackadder said.

    “They throw the ball around a lot, but actually a strength can often be turned into a weakness if we defend really well.

    “We are in a position where we’ve got nothing to lose, so we’ve got to play.”

    Gloucester, who will face Cardiff Blues in the European Challenge Cup final on May 11, can still secure a play-off place, but they have no margin for error.

    Elsewhere on Saturday, Worcester host Harlequins – a Warriors win or losing bonus point would seal London Irish’s relegation fate – and Sunday’s action sees Irish entertain Saracens and Northampton head to Wasps.

    Saracens’ England number eight Billy Vunipola is set for a first appearance since breaking his arm in January after being named on the bench, with Saracens guaranteed a home play-off game if they triumph in bonus point fashion, while Wasps know that victory over Saints further strengthens their top-four hopes.

    Fixtures (AED times)

    Friday April 27

    22:45 Leicester v Newcastle

    Saturday April 28

    18:00 Exeter Chiefs v Sale Sharks

    18:00 Gloucester v Bath

    18:00 Worcester v Harlequins

    Sunday April 29

    18:00 London Irish v Saracens

    18:00 Wasps v Northampton

    Recommended