Chiefs remain patient to grab Turner prize
IT rather encapsulated this contest that matters off the field proved far more interesting than what happened on it.
There were plenty of subplots going into Friday night’s game: Sam Simmonds’ England inclusion, Don Armand’s surprise omission from Eddie Jones’ squad and more intriguingly, Marland Yarde’s apparent impending move to Sale.
The Sharks lacked a cutting edge in going down to the Chiefs and, despite the presence of arch try-scorers Byron McGuigan and Denny Solomona in their side, it appears as though Steve Diamond is looking at bolstering his back three options.
Not that the boss of the Salford-based outfit was particularly forthcoming when asked about the subject, both before and after the game.
“We’re not allowed to speak to players before January 1st, that’s a principal we stick to,” he said. “There is no done deal.”
According to Diamond, his focus remains on finding a lock and a centre of genuine quality with Josh Beaumont and Johnny Leota notable absentees, but there is no doubt that Yarde would be a significant addition.
It would also be a statement of intent for a squad that are still trying to find the requisite quality to compete with England’s elite.
As for Exeter, they have no such problem. Their squad is already out of the top drawer and, following a disruptive week caused by the short turnaround, the visitors still had too much for the Sharks.
Armand and Simmonds were very much a part of that, even if the former did not quite have the same influence as he has done previously this season.
In the end, it was England’s new boy who showed why Jones has opted for the 22-year-old after the back rower put in an industrious second half display.
“Sam is an interesting player for Eddie because he has got a point of difference,” Chiefs’ boss Rob Baxter said. “I understand Sam’s involvement, it will be really good for him, but at the same time the door is far from shut for Don.
“Don is an ever-improving player and the one thing I hope is that Eddie is keeping his eye on him and actually sees that he is improving. He is a player that is moving forward.”
Despite dominating possession and territory, Simmonds and Armand initially struggled to get into the contest with Jack Yeandle and Thomas Waldrom taking on the bulk of the carrying.
Sale were adept at handling the visitors’ gargantuan forwards in the first half but Baxter’s men are nothing if not patient and they were rewarded for their unyielding approach as Gareth Steenson, on his 200th league appearance, slotted the first points of the night.
Faf de Klerk equalised with a penalty of his own as the teams went into the interval level before Exeter repeated their trick from the first five minutes and opened the second period brightly. Lachie Turner took advantage, spotting an opportunity through the middle of the ruck to touch down for the decisive score.
De Klerk did give the Sharks hope with another effort off the tee but the hosts had to settle for just a losing bonus-point, despite late pressure which resulted in a yellow card for Stuart Townsend.