Vermeulen poised for capital clash

By Mark Stevens
24/4/22

Jacques Vermeulen says Exeter Chiefs will ‘fight like dogs’ in their quest to secure a play-off place in this season’s Gallagher Premiership.

With just three games left in the regular season for Rob Baxter’s side, the Devonians know they can ill afford any kind of slip-up.

The first of those fixtures comes today, away to fierce rivals Saracens, who themselves are looking to edge ever closer to securing their own play-off berth.

It’s a fixture which, over the years, has thrown up some titanic tussles and today’s instalment promises to offer more of the same as two of the top-flights leading clubs collide once more.

Helping to head up the Chiefs charge in North London will be South African forward Vermeulen, who lines up in an Exeter line-up that sees Marcus Street, Richard Capstick and Tom Hendrickson come into the starting line-up from that which lost to Munster last weekend..

Having been knocked out of the Champions Cup last week, the 2020 European and Premiership champions are now in a battle to reach the domestic play-offs.

They are in a race for fourth place with a clutch of other clubs, but No. 8 Jacques Vermeulen believes they will thrive in adversity when they face Saracens.

“People are seeing us as underdogs and we'll embrace that,' he said. “When teams play against us this season, they think they can beat us.

“The underdog tag gives you more edge. You see underdogs coming out on top all around the world in boxing and UFC. We'll fight like dogs.

“We need to win every game to reach the semi-finals. Harlequins had to win their last game last season to get into the semi-final and it could be special. 'I believe in every guy in the squad and the coaches. It's a massive mountain to climb and to reach the peak would be amazing.”