Chiefs want to give fans a real party
EXETER BID TO RETAIN TITLE
TOMORROW 3.15PM, BT SPORT
EXETER Chiefs are on a mission to retain the European Champions Cup so their fans get to party like it’s 2020.
England’s champion club tomorrow launch the defence of a title they won for the first time only 57 days ago.
They went on to complete the double by adding the English Premiership a week later, yet what was a stunning achievement by the Chiefs passed without public celebration due to Covid- 19 restrictions.
For the first time since March, the club welcome supporters into Sandy Park for Glasgow’s visit, with 2,000 season- ticket holders finally allowed back in.
And Chiefs star Sam Skinner revealed the team are determined to give their faithful a taste of what they missed in lockdown.
The Scotland international said: “We did the double and while there will have been great energy from afar from our fans who could not go out and socialise properly, we missed out on sharing it with them.
“The whole south- west would like to have celebrated in style, so it would make it extra special if we can do it again this season.”
Exeter’s director of rugby Rob Baxter has told his players they will need to adjust to having fans back.
Baxter said: “The lads have kind of got used to going into their own zone with each other and just focusing on the game. They’ll still have to do that, but they’ll need to be aware there will be distractions now.
“We have to play in a way that generates energy amongst the crowd that we can then feed off.”
Skinner says the message has hit home and believes the mental adjustments have been made. He said: “You cannot help but notice the silence when you run out and constantly have to generate the energy yourself.
“The danger is we turn up and expect the crowd to bring all the energy for us. We know we have to put in a performance they are going to want to get behind.”
The Chiefs have made four changes to the side that started the final against Racing 92 in mid- October.
Olly Woodburn and Ollie Devoto replace Jack Nowell and Ian Whitten in the back line, with Skinner and captain Jack Yeandle starting up front ahead of Jonny Hill and Luke Cowan- Dickie.