Chiefs need to 'bring it all' - Mouneimne

By Mark Stevens
28/12/22

Exeter Chiefs defence coach Omar Mouneimne says his side will have to 'bring it all to the field' when they face rivals Saracens in Saturday's Gallagher Premiership encounter at the StoneX Stadium (3pm).

The South African is well versed in the threat posed by the table-topping Londoners, who will be looking to get back to winning ways at the first attempt having come unstuck in the league for the first time at London Irish last time out.

A day later, the Chiefs themselves extended their winning streak to five games when they edged out Westcountry rivals Bath 20-15 at Sandy Park.

A strong first half display in attack saw the Chiefs run in tries from Dave Ewers and Henry Slade, but it was there work in defence after the break that pleased Mouneimne in his post-match assessment.

"There were a few nervy moments in that second half, but credit to the boys, they showed a lot of courage and heart out there and they believed in what they were doing," he said. "We knew Bath would come with a game plan, but a few too many mistakes from us allowed them to drive up field and put us under a bit of pressure. Thankfully, we survived those attacks and we got the win, which is the most important thing."

Exeter's triumph ultimately proved pivotal on a weekend when the top three teams in the Premiership all lost. Now, though, the Chiefs have to go again this weekend against one of their arch rivals.

"There will be an edge," warned Mouneimne. "They [Saracens] are a juggernaut of a team with a powerful culture and who never go away. They are massive on collisions, so we need to hit the ground running."

Week by week, it is clear that Mouneimne's defensive systems are taking hold for the Chiefs, who behind Leicester Tigers have the best points difference in the Premiership.

Brought in ahead of the new season by Director of Rugby, the well-travelled coach says he is 'honoured' to be part of the Chiefs set-up.

"It's been amazing, the culture here is so powerful," he said. "Everyone works hard, everyone is very close and you can see what the club means to so many people. For me, it's an honour to be part of this next chapter. We're working towards a new era and bringing through a new group of players. All of us are learning all the time, so it's exciting to be involved with it all."