Jess on board to steer youngsters to victory
GIVEN Harlequins are 80 minutes from a final in front of the Stoop faithful, Exeter wing Matt Jess knows the Londoners will arrive at Sandy Park firing on all cylinders.
Form will not be an issue for Exeter, who have lost only twice since October, so Jess is hoping his side can put in another good performance and keep the momentum building.
“They’ve got a home final if they make it, so they’re going to come down here with an intent to rip the game away from us,” Jess said.
“We’ve got to make this place a fortress as we have done previously in these types of games, and make sure it’s about us.
“We know they’re a dangerous side. They’ve got some real quality and some top young up-and-coming players.
“It’s a big game for the club. There’s a lot of talent in this squad, and we’ve been striving for every competition, whether it’s the Premiership, European Cup or Anglo-Welsh.
“It’s nothing different. We know it’s a big game, so we’ve been focussing on us and hopefully we can deliver on Sunday when it comes to game day.”
Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has given young players plenty of opportunity in the competition this season, and Jess, who is one of the club’s most experience players, has enjoyed working with the new batch.
He said: “The young guys express themselves. They’ve got the knowhow and the go forward to show their talents individually and we’re there to steady the ship and make sure we’re communicating all the time.
“If fatigue hits, we keep talking to them, keep driving them and make sure they’re completely focused.
“The guys definitely have the potential to break down the Harlequins defence and hopefully we can get over the try line.”