Chiefs bank on inside knowledge

By Ben Baker
29/12/16

Ollie Devoto will be hoping his inside knowledge of Bath Rugby can help lift Exeter Chiefs to a first-ever win at The Rec when the two Aviva Premiership Rugby heavyweights clash on New Year’s Eve.

The versatile Devoto spent three-and-a-half seasons in the Bath first team, having been picked up by the club’s academy aged 16.

But this season has seen the 23-year-old don an Exeter jersey and help the Chiefs to fourth-place having won six of their 11 Aviva Premiership Rugby matches.

However, as Devoto bids to end 2016 on a high he knows Exeter must do something they have never done before – taste victory at The Rec.

And he is hoping his familiarity with some of Bath Rugby’s electric backs will help his new side buck the trend as he plays at The Rec for the first time as an opposing player.

“We had a good result last weekend against Leicester and it was nice to go and have a good Christmas,” Devoto said. “But we are back and we are ready and we are looking forward to this weekend.

“It is a special place to play [The Rec] and I have some very fond memories but it is going to be interesting being on the other side of the coin. It is going to be a huge game and I am really looking forward to it.

“They [Bath] have got running threats throughout their team. Having played in the back line with a few of them they are very strong with the ball in hand so we are going to have to be very wary of that, especially if the conditions are dry.

“And I think George Ford is probably going to run the show for them so he is a real danger man for us.”

Not only have Exeter never won at The Rec, but they had to wait until February 2015 to beat Bath in the top flight.

Last time the teams met Semesa Rokoduguni's try eight minutes into injury time helped Todd Blackadder's men to a 13-10 success.

But with the chance to move above Bath into third with a win, Devoto is only looking forward.

“The forwards were outstanding [against Leicester]. It is not very often you draw so much confidence from a driving maul and I think that was one of our biggest strengths on Saturday,” Devoto added.

“We got a good result that day and we are taking that forward this week.

“We are under no illusions that it is going to be a step up this week. We are away from home so it is another step on the ladder.”