Opinion: Exeter Chiefs’ return to ‘brutality’ powers rise back to PREM Rugby’s ‘top table’
Exeter Chiefs are back in the top four, after a strong start to the PREM season.
October 24 is a rather famous date in history, and you might not know it.
On October 24, 1945, the United Nations was formed. On October 24, 1857, Sheffield FC, the world’s first football club, was founded. On October 24, 1360, the Treaty of Brétigny was ratified, marking the end of the first phase of the Hundred Years’ War.
If you travel down to Exeter, though, October 24 means one thing and one thing only. The day the double was won.
On October 24, 2020, Joe Simmonds knocked over an 80th-minute penalty in the pouring rain to crown Exeter PREM Rugby champions for the second time in four years, just one week after downing Racing 92 in the Champions Cup final.
Isn’t it fitting, then, that nearly five years to the day, Exeter showcased their return to the top table of English rugby.
Rob Baxter’s side marked the fifth anniversary of that historic double in the perfect way, by thumping West Country rivals Gloucester 39-12. This win was also near-enough exactly six months on from their shameful 79-19 defeat to the Cherry and Whites at Kingsholm, arguably bringing about the worst fortnight in the club’s history in the process.
This win comes amid a string of vastly improved performances from the Devonians, who sit on a record of three wins, one draw and one defeat from their opening five games this season. To put that into perspective, they only won four league games across the whole of last year.
As a result, the Chiefs find themselves third in the PREM table at the international break, and it still feels like the best is ahead of them.
To sum it up, it feels like Exeter are very much back.
Style
For years, Exeter became known for one thing. Brutality.
The Devonians’ success in the last decade was built on a foundation of dominating the battle up front, with their maul and ruck work setting the foundations. Around that, their pick-and-goes became a serious weapon, to the point where you knew they were going to score as soon as they entered the opposition’s 22.
That has come back in a big way this year, quickly seeing them return to winning ways as a result.
There are two clear signs of change, too, but it’s also reverting back to things that helped them win titles in years gone by.
Territory has always been a key metric for Exeter, and they are starting to win that battle again. This campaign, the Chiefs have posted an average territory of 57%, while holding above 50% in each of their five league games.
Having territory is one thing, but the Chiefs are again learning to play in the right areas. On average*, 31% of their possession comes in the opposition half, with 12% of that in the enemy 22 alone, while just 19% of their time on the ball is spent in their own half. *(Stats based on % of match possession per pitch area.)
Around that, they have returned to their true nuts and bolts, based around the breakdown and set-piece. So far this season, the Chiefs have posted an average success rate of 96% on their own ball in the ruck, while also averaging a 90% success rate at the scrum too.
These all look good, but add in a flavour of Dave Walder’s England U20s-tinged champagne rugby and you’re in for a treat. The new attack coach’s influence has already been seen in the quality of their tries, just look at the way Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is scoring for instance, but it’s also the quantity.
Exeter currently boast the second-best points difference in the PREM, sitting on 84 across their five games this season, and average 4.6 tries a match. On top of that, they have scored five tries in both of their previous two outings.
There is something piecing together at Sandy Park. Something exciting.
Personnel
The fact that they are doing a collective job is already a good thing, but their big guns have also stepped up to the plate this season.
Captain Dafydd Jenkins, fresh from yet another summer operation, has led from the front with his physical, abrasive work around the park. Henry Slade has hit his straps once again and could easily be counted as the form player in the league at the time of writing. Feyi-Waboso has also come back from a nightmare campaign last time out with a fresh hunger and desire, showcasing why Exeter fans were so desperate for him to return last season. Elsewhere, Harvey Skinner also just looks more confident and settled back in the 10 shirt.
The new signings have also come in and made a difference.
Headline recruits Len Ikitau and Tom Hooper look like they’ve been at the Chiefs for years, not weeks, and already look like key cogs in this side.
Around them, Joseph Dweba has added yet more power and overall beef to the front-row, and in keeping with the traditions of the Chiefs, is finding his way to the try-line courtesy of some strong mauling.
Italian international Stephen Varney has provided some much-needed quality to their scrum-half depth chart, while fellow Azzurri ace Andrea Zambonin’s work-rate has also helped the pack turn a corner this year. Georgian tighthead Bachuki Tchumbadze also seems to be improving as the weeks go by.
The back-row is also coming into their own, too. Ethan Roots’ form has seen him thrown back into the England conversation, and is possibly unlucky to miss out on selection for the Autumn Nations Series, while Greg Fisilau and Ross Vintcent have also thrived in their more open role this season, with both men switching between seven and eight. Kane James is also going from strength to strength after getting a consistent run of things in the first-team this season.
This time last year, you wouldn’t have really been able to reel off a list of names like this, which again just shows the transformation in the Devonians this season.
Back in April, I quoted the line from Les Miserables, ‘Drink with me, to days gone by. To the life that used to be’, remaining optimistic that the glasses would come out for a different reason.
The way it’s going right now, that is turning into genuine hope. I’ll be waiting at the Stand-Off in anticipation.