Test call-ups delight Hepher
By Mark Stevens
23/11/17
Ali Hepher says it's the intentions of the Exeter Chiefs coaching staff to try and force more of their playing squad onto the international stage.
Exeter's head coach says the inclusion of four players - Sam Simmonds, Henry Slade, Harry Williams and Tomas Francis - all featuring in Test match action is a clear indication of the strides now being made by the Chiefs in helping develop their players to higher levels.
No.8 Simmonds is set for his first-ever England start against Samoa at Twickenham on Saturday (3pm) and he will be joined from the outset at HQ by club-mate Slade, who will line-up in the midfield alongside the recalled Alex Lozowski. Williams - for the third game running - starts the contest on the bench and will provide back-up to Dan Cole.
In Cardiff, meanwhile, Francis has been named in the Welsh starting line-up for their clash against world champions New Zealand at the Principality Stadium on Saturday (5:15pm).
Quite rightly, Chiefs head coach Hepher is delighted the seasonal form of the quartet has been recognised and he's back them - and others in the future - to further enhance their careers from exposure within the Test arena.
"We're pleased for all the guys," he said. "Simmo getting his first start will be fantastic for him. Hopefully, he will get more ball in hand time than he has off the bench, but it's great to see him out there and playing.
"Sladey getting another start will be good for his development, while Harry is obviously progressing along very nicely.
Franny starting against the world champions, there is no better game for him to be playing in, so it's all very exciting."
Injuries to the likes of Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie this season have robbed them of adding to their tally of international caps, but Hepher believes they can continue to flourish in the future, along with many others at Sandy Park.
"If you look at all the champions over the years, they've had guys regularly playing at international level," added Hepher. "Having guys away means they not only bring good stuff back, but it keeps them at the cutting edge of the game and in turn knocks us on as a club and as a team.
"As coaches, we need to encourage more of this. The more guys we have away, the better it is. Yes, you have to have a squad to do that and still be able to compete, but in the longer term the experience they glean from playing at the very top end is only going to knock us on further as a group."
