Exeter star open to throwback positional switch to ease Chiefs’ injury woes
Olly Woodburn is open to a potential positon change
Exeter Chiefs stalwart Olly Woodburn has detailed that he is open to a position switch into midfield, after being thrust into 13 in their defeat to Leicester Tigers last weekend.
Woodburn has made 176 appearances for Exeter since joining the club from Bath in 2015 but has played virtually every game on the wing.
Olly Woodburn open to playing in midfield
Midfield, and in particular 13, is already proving to be a huge headache for Rob Baxter in the early stages of the season. England star Henry Slade is expected to be out until at least November, Zack Wimbush has also sustained a significant injury and Ben Hammersley picked up a concussion early in the defeat against Leicester, and is unavailable to face Northampton this weekend.
Following Hammersley’s withdrawal, Woodburn shifted across into the centres alongside Hawkins, and speaking to members of the media said he is open to playing in this position more often.
“I’ve been given the confidence to go out and do that and show I’ve got more strings to my bow,” he said.
“It’s nice that the boys and the coaches have that confidence in me.”
Harlequins star in doubt for England after critical injury blow in Premiership opener
He also added he played in that position during his early rugby career: “It was a bit of a shock playing 75 minutes there, but back in the day I signed my first contract for Bath as an outside centre and played there throughout my childhood so it’s like a return to my roots.
“I’ve actually mentioned it to the coaches that I can play there and could cover it if need be. For me, it’s really exciting and it’s a position that lends itself to my strengths.”
“It’s quite an adjustment”
Whilst he has featured there in the past; Woodburn has spent the bulk of his professional career on the wing; but he is enjoying the challenge of learning the different ‘intricacies’ of the new position.
“At this level, it’s quite an adjustment going from wing to outside centre in the middle of a game,” he said. “I’ve realised this week that I’ve become comfortable on the wing and it’s just become second nature, so learning the intricacies of playing a different position; even though it’s only one in there are a lot of differences.”
Rob Baxter ‘looking for players’ amidst Exeter Chiefs’ injury crisis
He added: “You’re more connected to the forwards in defence (at 13), and you’re also involved in every set-piece. Playing 13, you’re always in the action, so it’s quite an adjustment being on your toes throughout the whole game.”
He also detailed the key people he is speaking to regarding the switch to midfield.
“I’ve been speaking to Omar Mouneimne (defence coach) from a defensive point of view, and I check in with Ali Hepher (head coach) when I get a chance, and I’m sure if I keep playing 13 I’ll speak to the boys playing that position,” Woodburn explained.
“I’ve been talking to Joe Hawkins (Exeter number 12), as there’s a lot of set-piece stuff that I need to be up to date on.”
Moving to 13 could be a good idea for Woodburn further down the line, given Exeter’s issues there currently and their strength in depth on the wing as well. England international Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is a guaranteed starter on the right wing for the Chiefs and emerging talent Paul Brown-Bampoe is also gunning for a spot in the starting XV after a decent debut last time out.
Olly Woodburn ‘clear option’ at 13
Woodburn’s cameo at 13 last week has caught the attention of boss Rob Baxter too, with the experienced Director of Rugby saying Woodburn is a ‘clear option’ moving forward.
“(We’re) pretty thin (at 13) to be honest with you, it doesn’t take a genius to see how we ended up at the weekend,” said Baxter.
“I thought Olly Woodburn did really really well and is a clear option for us in the midfield, and we have Will Rigg too who is getting more and more training time and experience with us now and he’s still available.”
He also explained how he could look to use the partnership with Exeter University to bring up some younger talent to remedy his selection issues in this department.
“Outside of that, it’s down to our academy guys. A couple of them are playing in the BUCS game this afternoon, so I’ll be watching that as the reality is if they play well they could be playing Premiership rugby in a week’s time.”
The pathway through Exeter University has seen plenty of talented youngsters join the club. The aforementioned Feyi-Waboso, as well as current captain and Welsh international Dafydd Jenkins, fellow international Christ Tshiunza and Italian star Ross Vintcent have all gone on to play a crucial role in the Chiefs squad after spending time at the University.