Low wary of Gloucester threat

By Mark Stevens
23/11/18

Moray Low insists there is still 'plenty to work on' despite Exeter Chiefs producing a near perfect start to this season's Gallagher Premiership campaign.

Devon's finest have notched up seven wins from as many starts, dropping just a solitary point along the way, to sit top of the pile alongside defending champions Saracens, who boast a similar record to that of the Chiefs.

Next best, 11 points behind the front two, are Johan Ackermann's Gloucester side, who pose the next hurdle for Low and the Chiefs at a packed Sandy Park tomorrow (1pm).

The Cherry & Whites warmed up for this latest tussle with an impressive home win over Leicester Tigers last time out and Scottish international Low says the Chiefs will need to be at their best to quell the threat they pose.

"We've had a very good start, seven from seven is fantastic," said Low. "We're also doing well in other competitions, but at the same time there is still plenty for us to work on.

"Gloucester this weekend is a huge game for us. They are on fire at the moment, they are playing well - both in attack and defence - and that's underlined with where they are in the table right now.

"They've got big guys in their side who like to carry, their ten (Danny Cipriani) likes to direct play and he's confident with how he's playing at the minute. He puts them on the front foot and then they've got some real physical ball-carriers who can cause you damage.

"Equally, the set-piece battle is going to be massive as well. It's where any game is won first and foremost, so I think all us forwards are looking forward to that and getting stuck into the weekend."

The Chiefs will head into the contest buoyed by last Sunday's last-gasp win over Bristol Bears, a fixture in which Low bagged his first try of the season in the 31-29 success.

"It was a hard-fought win in the end for us," said the 33-year-old forward. "You expect that in derby games though. In Scotland we only get one derby, whereas down here we have two or three, which is fantastic. Playing in front of packed houses, they are always great occasions and hopefully Saturday will be the same."

The Chiefs are likely to stick with the majority of the squad that sealed victory at Ashton Gate on Sunday, although they will be boosted by the return to starting duties for Dave Dennis, Dave Ewers and Nic White.