'Let's kick on in Europe' says Whitten

By Mark Stevens
17/10/18

Ian Whitten says it's imperative he and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates get something from Saturday's Heineken Champions Cup trip to Castres.

The Chiefs kicked off their latest European campaign with a 10-10 draw against Munster at Sandy Park, while their French rivals were undone 19-14 by Gloucester at Kingsholm.

Although it was a share of the spoils for the Chiefs following a hard-fought Pool Two encounter, Whitten believes overall it was a missed opportunity, especially as it was the Devonians who were pushing hard right at the death.

"It was a tough match out there," said the Irishman. "We didn't do as well with the ball in the first half as we would have liked. There were too many turnovers and it took us a while to really get into the game. The second half was much better, we showed a lot of fight and a lot of heart.

"Two points from the first game is not a disaster by any means, but as a group we probably felt we let two more slip, especially with us being at home. Hopefully, it won't cost us later in the competition."

Deespite having a gale force wind at their backs in the opening half against Munster, the Chiefs couldn't make full use of the elements and only led 10-3 at the turn thanks to a converted Luke Cowan-Dickie try and a penalty from Gareth Steenson.

Munster, like the Chiefs, failed to benefit from the wind in the second period, but they were able to draw level when No.8 CJ Stander powered his way over for a try which was converted by Joey Carbery, who had earlier kicked a first half penalty.

In the dying embers, however, it was Rob Baxter's side who were in full attack mode, laying siege on the Munster try-line with a succession of raids. Sadly, the normally deadly Chiefs were unable to turn their pressure into points, a knock-on spelling the end of their victory hopes.

Now, the current Gallagher Premiership league leaders will need to go again, tackling the reigning French champions for the first time in a competitive match.

"It's going to be another big game for us," warned Whitten. "We know how tough trips to France are for visiting teams. We've been on the end of a couple of big defeats in Clermont in the past, but equally we've had some great results in the last few years over in Bordeaux and Montpellier. Hopefully, we can go there this week, put something together and do enough to get a win."