Double champs have shown us way – Yeandle
GARY FITZGERALD discovers that Exeter Chiefs intend to learn from last-day reverse
Exeter Chiefs must emulate Saracens and use their Premiership final agony to make them mentally stronger and physically able to win big titles this season.
Club captain Jack Yeandle is adamant that if the Devon men are to return to Twickenham in May and enjoy a fruitful European campaign, they have to also step up a level in performance with this season “even tougher and more competitive”.
The hooker, whose side kick off at Wasps next Sunday, insists:“We can’t look back to Twickenham and say it was a fantastic season because we got to the final.We have to learn from that experience because we did well to get there but we came second.
“I was pretty gutted to be honest because we were that close to achieving something very special.
“It was a flat first half performance and did not show our best at all. But then we turned the game on its head and nearly pulled it out of the bag.
“It was great for the club and everyone connected to get that far and have an amazing day out for the fans. But we did not win the trophy.
“We earned the right to get there and we have to do so again. But as seasons go on it’s getting tougher and more competitive but we’ve made Sandy Park a fairly tough place to come to and our incredible supporters certainly make the difference.
“Saracens won the double just two years after they lost both finals within a week and that was impressive. It’s something we can take on board, being able to cope with the huge disappointment of losing big games and then making sure we get things right next time.”
Yeandle picks out Henry Slade to play another key role in Chiefs campaign in trying to become English champions and possibly conquer Europe.
Slade, 23, nicknamed “Rusty” by his Chiefs team-mates because his hair turns slightly red in the sun, bounced back from the broken ankle which cost him a Six Nations place to sit on the bench in Australia in June.
The versatile back is widely expected to be given plenty of action during the autumn internationals and add to his two caps.
Yeandle said:“Sladey has never been too over the top or carried away with how things have gone so well for him. He’s dealt with things really well and I am sure he’ll continue to do so.
“He did well to come back from the ankle break and go on tour with England. He didn’t play in Australia but to get back among that pool of players was credit to him and his hard work.
“Rusty has done well because he was thrown into the deep end a few years back against Toulon but has never looked back.
“He still has his ridiculous OCD and blames his ankle injury on the fact his shoelaces were not quite tied perfectly! But I guess that’s part and parcel of the territory when you play 10. The limelight is always going to be on you but he’s very much a cool head on young shoulders.
“When he walks on to the field he always looks so composed and in control. He’s an important player for us whether he’s at 10 or in the centre. England clearly think a lot of him too, so it will be surprising if he doesn’t get a chance this autumn.” And head coach Rob Baxter, below, said:“Sladey has done enormously well since he grabbed his opportunity but he knows you can’t rest on your laurels. He knows to have a chance to play for England he’ll need to keep playing well for Exeter and keep improving. But he’s still getting better and he’s a huge
talent.”