Chiefs targeting big finish - Moon

By Mark Stevens
26/4/17

Long-serving Exeter prop Ben Moon insists there is real excitement in and around the Chiefs camp as the Aviva Premiership season heads towards the final straight.

With just two rounds of the scheduled season remaining, the Chiefs have already pocketed one of the four play-off spots alongside leaders Wasps and defending champions Saracens.

However, who gets home advantage in next month’s semi-final has yet to be decided and with Northampton Saints next on the agenda for Rob Baxter’s side this Saturday at a sold out Sandy Park (3pm), Moon knows he and his team-mates can ill afford any kind of slip-up.

“It’s exciting for all of us, but we know we’ve got two tough fixtures  [against Northampton and Gloucester] coming up,” said Moon. “If we want a home semi-final, we’ve got to produce two big performances in those games.”

The Chiefs, however, are the Premiership’s form team, having not lost since late October, and going on a 13-match unbeaten run that has lifted them to second in the current standings.

Exeter’s latest 39-26 victory came a fortnight ago away to Harlequins, a result that Moon believes showed the full strength of the Devon club.

“It was a big result for us,” said the loosehead. “It was a fantastic effort from all the guys. We knew we had to go there and try and get the win, so to come away with all five points was huge.

“The guys who started had to put in one hell of a shift, especially in the first quarter where Quins really came at us hard, and then later the boys who came off the bench did a job as well, so full credit to everyone involved.”

More of the same will be required this weekend against a Saints outfit, who defeated the Chiefs earlier in the season at Franklin’s Gardens – and who themselves are desperate for victory in their quest to ensure a top six finish this term.

“Playing Northampton is never easy,” added Moon. “They are a tough side with some quality players. That said, we’re a good side ourselves and we’ll be the ones playing at home.

“We’re in good form, we’ve had some good wins recently, and our performance against Harlequins was more like what we expect of ourselves. Right now, we’re at the business end of the season, everyone wants to be playing in these big games, so it’s up to all of us to step up and keep producing these big performances.”