Skinner excited by Sarries battle

By Mark Stevens
2/12/21

Sam Skinner has spelt out the importance of the upcoming week in terms of what he and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates want to achieve this season.

As part of the Chiefs side that won at Bath last week, the Scottish international says it’s imperative the Devonians follow that up with an equally big performance against Saracens at Sandy Park today.

It’s the first meeting between the two clubs since September 2020, but the rivalry that has existed for some time with the Londoners has again ignited in the build-up to this latest match-up.

“Last week was the first stepping stone, but now it’s important we take that second step,” said Skinner. “This is the first of three massive games coming up for us – Saracens this weekend, then two Heineken Cup games – so we know what’s at stake.

“Obviously, we started this block with the win up at Bath last week, but we need to back that up. I know it’s December and just coming up to Christmas, but in a lot of ways what we do over these next few weeks will ultimately define our season.”

As part and parcel of the Chiefs squad who lifted the Premiership and Champions Cup titles just over a year ago, Skinner says there is a ‘burning desire’ that lingers within the Exeter squad to once again repeat the feat.

“That’s definitely the goal,” he added. “If you asked any of us, we all want to do that again, especially in front of a crowd. It was a tough period for everyone, but as players we were privileged that we could still do our jobs and play games of rugby.

“I know it was tough not having the opportunity to celebrate those moments with friends and families, but I guess the people who were most robbed were the fans. For them not to experience that live was tough, so it would be great if we could do it all over again, but have them with us this time.”

And with Sandy Park set for it’s first capacity crowd since the pandemic hit back in March 2020, Skinner admits the chance to feel the match-day buzz is something he loves to savour.

“It’s just awesome,” he continued. “As a local lad, I love being part of this team, part of this club and running out in front of the fans each week. As I said, it was tough not having them here at the ground. I’d probably describe it like going out on a night out, but not drinking. It just wasn’t the same!

“When you play in front of them, especially here at Sandy Park, you live off the energy they bring. In tough times, they are the ones who give you that lift, that extra bit of drive to get up and keep going.”

And it will be that very support that Skinner and the Chiefs will need in spades against Sarries today.

“They are always a tough opponent, but I wouldn’t say I particularly look for this game in particular,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a big fixture for us – there is no denying that – and we’ve had some great clashes with them over the years. That said, every game in the Premiership is tough, the league is just so competitive and if you are 10% off your top-end game, then you’re going to find it tough.

“Maybe in the past it was ourselves and Saracens at the top and you’d have certain games away from home where you’d know it would be test, but if you look across the league there isn’t an easy game. Every week you know you are going to be challenged and that’s what makes the league what it is.”