Street keen to build on strong start
By Mark Stevens
15/10/19
Marcus Street says Exeter Chiefs must use their Premiership Rugby Cup form as the springboard for them to launch their assault on this season’s Gallagher Premiership.
Three wins in four games in the Cup has enabled the Chiefs to book themselves a home semi-final in the New Year against rivals Harlequins.
Ironically, it’s the Londoners who will pose the first hurdle for Rob Baxter’s side in the Premiership this Saturday at Sandy Park (3pm) – and young prop Street is hopeful the Devonians can take their winning formula into that encounter.
“It’s been great start to the season, and hopefully we can continue it to have another strong season,” said Street. “We’ve got to have our eyes on the prize and just keep going and pushing through.
“Saturday will be very tough, but every game is tough. That said, we’ll be at home and have the crowd behind us. It’s the same as any other game, we’ve got to go out there, whether it’s against top of the table or bottom of the table, and we’ve just got to come out and chase that performance down.”
In what has been an encouraging start to the new season for the England Under-20s prop, Street has featured in all four of Exeter’s Cup games, even claiming a first-ever try for the club in last Saturday’s 42-19 triumph over Bristol Bears.
Identified as a rising star within the club’s youthful ranks, Street – who was given his first taste of senior action last season – heads into the new campaign, not only a more experienced player, but full of confidence after some notable displays.
“It’s much nicer now and I understand things a lot better,” he explained. “It’s easier now that I’ve played a few games. I feel a bit more comfortable and I can start working on a few things, trying to get some more time out there. When you have more time, you can get your foot in the door early and show the coaches what you’re all about.
“I’ve been lucky to come in and do my thing. Max Norey got his debut [against Bristol], and he’s a good mate of mine, so it was great to see him out there. He was working the scrum well, so it was nice to be with him for his debut.”
Now, though, Street and his fellow Chiefs must look to raise their level once more against a Quins’ outfit, who themselves recorded three wins out of four in the Cup.
“Rob has already said we need to go up that next level now,” added Street. “To be fair, we’ve done it every week so far, but now we have to go again. You could tell on Monday that the energy levels were that bit different and it showed in the game today.
“The previous week at Worcester we started a little bit shaky and got better as the game went on, but this week we just came out all guns blazing, which is just what we wanted.”
More of the same this weekend and it will provide the perfect starting point for the Chiefs to attack.