Chiefs Women to face Saracens

By James Fowler
13/1/23

Exeter Chiefs Women’s Head Coach Susie Appleby says ‘the excitement is what we’re bringing’ ahead of her side’s crunch Allianz Premier 15s encounter with last season’s champions Saracens at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm).

The 35-10 victory over the Sale Sharks last weekend extended the Chiefs winning run to five and it also ensured they remain in second place in the standings, just four points behind league leaders Gloucester-Hartpury.

Reflecting on Sunday’s victory over Sale, Appleby expressed her delight at coming away with maximum points despite the inclement January weather conditions in Manchester.

“It was tough conditions and it’s a tough place to go anyway, so to go up there and get five points we’re really really happy with,” she said. “We got some people on the field who haven’t had a shot yet, and had a look at a couple of things, so we’re in a good position.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s tussle against Saracens, Appleby was keen to outline her excitement at taking on the champions in front of a passionate home crowd at Sandy Park.

“I just said to the girls the excitement is what we’re bringing. We’re not sensationalising it, the fact is a very good side are coming to Sandy Park. We’re playing at home in front of a really, really good crowd and we just want to perform every week, so that’s what the focus has been about this week.”

Despite the enormity of this weekend’s game, Appleby has once again been bold with her selection decisions, which has included bringing in Australian international Lori Cramer for her first start in a Chiefs jersey and moving Kate Zackary back into the centre despite having played so impressively at No.8 in the victory over Sale.

“Lori (Cramer) is getting a shot, which is exciting. I haven’t seen a lot of her, but nobody else has either. Kate (Zackary) has moved back into the centre because she’s wonderful wherever she plays. Maisy (Allen) is back in and thoroughly deserves to be back in because she was in the England Under-20s camp last week.

“There’s been a couple of changes, nothing forced upon us, it’s all choice. There’s people fighting for positions every single week. There’s 23 going out there and I’m confident that we can put a really good show on.”

Despite Saracens current fifth place placing in the Premier 15s league table, Appleby was in no doubt about the quality the Londoners will bring when they travel down to Devon at the weekend, especially with their England players now back in action.

“Of course they were missing people the other side of Christmas, but they’ve now got six England internationals into their squad, who came back on Saturday against Darlington (DMP Sharks), so they’re coming as loaded. Whether they’ve had game time under their belt or not they come as a very good squad, so that’s what we’re prepared for.”

In what will no doubt be the Chiefs biggest test since their loss to Gloucester-Hartpury in the opening round, Appleby believes that ‘energy’ and ‘detail’ will be the key factors in determining who comes out victorious in this encounter.

“Energy is a massive component of performance,” added Appleby. “The girls are always excited, so I don’t need to tell them to bring that, but then let’s just focus on the detail, because if we get the detail right then it’s very hard to defend against us, but with attack comes defence, you’ve got to be on your money to play against Saracens, defensively or offensively, so we need to get both sides of the ball right.

“We need to be prepared for a kicking game either way, because the conditions are going to continue to be tricky, so who can manage them the best.”