Skinner poised for European title defence

By Mark Stevens
12/12/20

Sam Skinner says the sight of supporters coming back into Sandy Park tomorrow will help lift him and his Exeter Chiefs team-mates as they prepare to kick-off the defence of their Heineken Champions Cup crown.

Just two months on from helping the Chiefs lift European Rugby’s top prize for the first time, Skinner will pack down in an Exeter side who will be facing familiar foes in the shape of Glasgow Warriors.

Not only have the two clubs engaged in regular battle in recent years, but the 25-year-old has spent much of the past month teaming up with many of the Warriors side, whilst away on Autumn Nations Cup duty with Scotland.

Speaking ahead of the Round One fixture, the Exeter-born lock admitted he couldn’t wait to get stuck into the action once more.

“Having the Heineken Cup up and running again – and having 2,000 people coming to see us, it’s exciting times,” said Skinner. “Personally, I can’t wait to have the fans back in. Each week we talk about driving that emotional intensity – and with the crowd like we have here – the energy they give us does give you that extra buzz.

“Obviously, we can’t expect them to just turn up and do it for us, we have to give them a reason to get off their seats and enjoy the game, so I think we’re all very much looking forward to getting out there on Sunday and putting in a big performance.”

In what will be a new-look format for the Champions Cup this season, the defending champions will start their campaign with the visit of the Warriors tomorrow, quickly followed by a first-ever trip to Toulouse a week later.

Rob Baxter’s side faced both teams en route to lifting the title last season and Skinner is acutely aware that the Chiefs can ill afford to start slow.

“We have to go from the off,” he warned. “This weekend we’re at home, so it’s important we make the most of that advantage and get the win. Each year we talk about starting the right way, but it’s obvious that it does put you in that good position.

“Glasgow, we know, will be tough opposition. Just like ourselves, they will want to start strongly, so we have to be ready to meet that threat they pose. As defending champions, of course sides will want to come after us, but I think that just spices things up a bit.”

The Chiefs come into the game with all of their international contingent back in harness. Skinner is joined in the match-day 23 by Scotland team-mates Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Jonny Gray and Stuart Hogg, the latter two of whom are both former Glasgow favourites.

Skinner and Gray are among seven changes Baxter has made to his side from that which won at Leicester Tigers in the Gallagher Premiership last time out. They pack down together in the Exeter engine-room, behind Alec Hepburn, who is recalled at loosehead.

Behind the scrum, Jack Maunder takes over at scrum-half in place of the suspended Stuart Townsend, while Henry Slade, Olly Woodburn and Hogg are also in from the outset.