NO IFS OR BOTS ..LEV MUST BE HELD BY CHIEFS WARNS SCOTT

BY

EXETER CHIEFS must be first to more breakdowns than the AA today if they are reach a second Champions Cup Final.

Rob Baxter’s team are in Bordeaux to face La Rochelle, the holders who powered into this semi-final on the back of a dominant display by turnover king Levani Botia (above).

Chiefs, the 2020 champions, are only too well aware of the way in which the Fijian flanker singlehandedly did for Saracens in the quarterfinals three weeks ago.

But they believe they are better off focusing on their own game at the breakdown rather than get fixated with the Demolition Man – as Botia is dubbed by fans of Les Maritimes.

Exeter’s Aussie prop Scott Sio (above) warned: “The problem you face by focusing on one player is that you give opportunities elsewhere and you get lazy.

“We have got to treat every breakdown as a threat and we have to execute. We have players here that have won this competition before, we have got to draw on that experience.”

Fly-half Joe Simmonds, whose England No.8 brother Sam is called on to be one of the first on the scene, said: “Botia has been outstanding at the breakdown for them – and that’s a huge focus for us.

“The key for us is to get our carries right, so that after that the breakdown becomes a lot easier. We’ve got a big back row, and I know Sam is ready.

“It comes down to the quality of the collisions and making sure we’re getting on the front foot, so they don’t have the time to get over the ball.”

The threat posed by Botia, who has the athleticism to alternate between back row and centre, is enormous – even though in the French Top 14 he does not always find himself on the right side of the referees.

“Levani often gets us out of difficult situations,” said Will Skelton, La Rochelle’s former Saracens lock.

“If the opposition has made a line break, he is a centre, and has the speed of a back, so will be able to get on the ball and make a turnover.

“In those big moments, it definitely helps us big boys out – we can take a breather and then reset.

“It’s his physicality around the ruck. He is a demon on the ball. He has that ability for repeated efforts and sprints.

“Just having him on the field, his presence is immense for us and gives us a lot of confidence.

“His French is still not that great, even after nine or 10 years here, but he is definitely a character – and the heart and soul of this team.”