Caulfield enjoys Chiefs' exposure

By Mark Stevens
1/10/19

Josh Caulfield is hopeful he will get more opportunities to impress having been part of the Exeter Chiefs starting XV for their opening two games in this season’s Premiership Rugby Cup.

The young forward packed down in the back-row for his side’s opening week win against Bath, then again last Friday in their defeat away to a powerful Leicester Tigers outfit at Welford Road.

With five points accrued from their opening two games in the competition, Rob Baxter’s side will be looking to get back to winning ways in Pool C against Worcester Warriors at Sixways this Friday (7:45pm).

Director of Rugby Baxter has already confirmed that he will be rotating his playing options ahead of this latest encounter, primarily to get game time into others members of his first-team squad, but that the displays of those who have already featured have been noted and will be duly considered moving forward.

“It’s been a good experience, not just for me, but for a lot of us young lads,” said Caulfield. “Over the years the club have used the Cup to get game time into a number of us and it’s an opportunity for us to go out and make a big impression.”

Certainly, Caulfield did his chances no harm turning in two very workmanlike displays.

“Games like we’ve had are massive experiences,” he continued. “To come to places like Welford Road and experience playing in front of a big crowd is huge. Yes, we’re disappointed with the result – especially as we had a lot of territory and possession – but we didn’t quite nail things like we should have.

“We worked hard, got ourselves in good positions, but we were lacking that last little bit to get over the line and get points on the board. There are good things that we can take away from the game, but there are also things we know we have to work on.”

Just how much has been learnt by the Chiefs in the wake of their 27-7 reverse to the Tigers will be unravelled against the Warriors this week.

“It’s another big one for us,” said Caulfield, who has aided his development in the past by being dual-registered with Championship outfit, the Cornish Pirates. “Worcester at their place will be tough, but we’ve got to go up there, put out game on them and look to take the five points again.”