Jefferies relishing Wasps showdown
By Harry Scott-Munro
5/3/21
Exeter Chiefs Women's flanker Ebony Jefferies believes that it is “exciting to see what comes next” as her side prepare to face fellow play-off contenders Wasps at Twyford Avenue tomorrow (2pm).
Last time out against DMP Sharks, Jefferies and her team-mates ran up a massive 76-5 victory that saw winger Louise Burgess score four tries on her first start for the club.
Jefferies was delighted with her side’s showing, insisting that “it’s important with a team like DMP that we change nothing and go out there like any other game, like it’s a top four game.
“We really put our performance out there and showed the rest of the league what we’re made of. Getting some new players in there as well, like Louise Burgess. For her to get four tries, it’s amazing for her to get in thhe side.”
Despite running up a massive scoreline at Sandy Park, there are still things for the side to work on, although Jefferies insists that it has been another “really positive” week of training.
“Obviously, we’ve been working on trying to fix those things we haven’t quite been getting right for the last few games, so I think putting in a performance like we did against a side like DMP really puts our stamp out there.”
Tomorrow sees a titanic clash at Twyford Avenue, as the Chiefs aim to make it seven in a row against the league’s other in-form side in Wasps, who defeated Saracens 26-24 last time out.
Jefferies is anticipating a huge challenge against the Londoners who won the corresponding fixture at Sandy Park 24-14 earlier in the season, although her overriding emotion is excitement at the opportunity for her side.
“It’s going to be a massive game. A really important one for us to see if we can reach that top four spot, so it’ll be a huge battle for both teams. It’s getting to the exciting part now.”
Chiefs have defied many people’s expectations this season to currently sit fifth in the league, however their performances have come as no surprise to Jefferies.
She continued: “We’ve always aimed high and we’ve said that from the start. We’ve got quite a few international players, so we definitely have the talent there. Getting everyone in has obviously been hard with Covid but (it’s good) getting everyone training together and doing those things as a team.”
Having previously played for Exeter University and Bristol Bears, Jefferies has been loving her time in Devon so far, crediting the environment with helping her rediscover her passion for the sport.
“The transition has been great really. I’ve definitely fallen back in love with rugby again which is huge for me. All the girls have been so amazing, and we really feel like a tightknit group which is really nice.
“With Covid, it’s a bit hard not being able to celebrate all the small wins at the moment. You can tell that we always go to do that and have to stop ourselves, but it shows the really nice atmosphere that we’re in (that we want to celebrate.)”
After the success of recent livestreams on the Exeter Chiefs YouTube channel, the Chiefs will once again be livestreamed this weekend, with hosts Wasps providing coverage on their social media channels.
Round 13 saw all five league matches shown live for the first time in the history of the league and that additional coverage and support for the women’s game has not gone unnoticed by Jefferies.
“It’s amazing to have all the support. We get countless messages of support pre match and post-match about the game and it’s amazing to see how many people it’s reaching out to and how many people are supporting us.”