Hot Woodburn left in cold by Eddie
Earle and Joe Cokanasiga. At 6ft 2in and 14st 11lb, his proportions do not leap off the page, but he leaps exceptionally for the high ball and his finishing against Montpellier in claustrophobic surroundings was of international quality.
Rob Baxter, his director of rugby at the Chiefs, rates Woodburn as the finest phone-box finisher he has come across because of his unerring
There are some coaches you get along with, some coaches you don’t
ability to find a way through heavy traffic.
“You have got to want it,” said Woodburn. “It is a very short period of time and there is a lot going on so you have got to be very aware of your surroundings. I have been in that situation before where I haven’t scored so I have learnt from that.” With Jack Nowell still sidelined by an ankle problem, Woodburn will be a key figure again on Saturday for his club as Exeter chase the bonus-point win at Glasgow that should see them through to the quarter-finals.
Another overlooked Premiership wing, Alex Lewington, has confirmed he will be swapping London Irish for Saracens next season.
Lewington, 26, has been a bright light amid the Exiles’ struggles this season with six tries and 24 breaks – second only to Woodburn – but after five seasons he is moving on.
“I will miss London Irish,” he said. “I’m eternally grateful as they gave me the chance to play Premiership rugby. I will miss my friends there but I’m looking forward to building new relationships at Saracens.”