Ewers says work still to be done in Europe

By Mark Stevens
20/12/22

Exeter Chiefs may have produced a perfect start to their latest Heineken Champions Cup campaign, but Dave Ewers insists the ‘job is not done’ in terms of their qualification hopes.

Bonus point wins over Castres and the Vodacom Bulls have the Chiefs sitting pretty in Pool A behind leaders Leinster, but with return legs against both teams set to come next month, Ewers knows tougher tests lie ahead.

“We’re happy with where we are, it’s been two good wins for us,” said the imposing back-row forward. “That said, the job’s not done yet. Going away to Loftus Versfeld, it’s going to be a massive occasion as is when Castres come back here. European games are always tough and these will be no different.”

Ewers has been in outstanding form so far in the Champions Cup, scoring a try in each of Exeter’s two games, as well as picking up the prestigious Star of the Match in both games.

Saturday’s success over the Bulls ensured a 12th win in 13 on home soil for the Chiefs in European action and Ewers says he and his team-mates should make the most of their advantage here in Devon.

“We take real pride in our record here,” said Ewers at the final whistle. “As a team, we love playing at home and we want to make this place a real fortress for us - a tough place to come for opposition. Today, we did that and we’re happy with the result.”

A powerful first half performance set the tone for Exeter’s latest European win against the Bulls, who are one of three South African sides making their debut in the competition this season.

“We had talked all week about concentrating mainly on ourselves,” he said. “Like any South African side, we knew they would be physical and they were just that. The good thing was we stuck to our jobs and we were able to get the job done.”

The Chiefs and the Bulls will lock horns again in Pretoria on Saturday, January 14, before Castres visit Sandy Park a week later.