Wing wizard O'Flaherty helps produces semi-final magic
By Mark Stevens
28/5/19
Thrust into the cauldron of a last four showdown by Rob Baxter at the weekend, Tom O’Flaherty didn’t disappoint as he helped Exeter Chiefs book their place back at Twickenham for this Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership Final.
The fleet-footed winger was in scintilating form, producing an eye-catching display as the Devonians sealed a fourth successive trip to English Rugby HQ with a 42-12 victory over Northampton Saints.
Standing in the way of the Chiefs claiming a second Premiership crown will be reigning Premiership and European champions Saracens, who booked their place with an equally impressive success over Gloucester in the day’s other semi-final.
In a re-run of last season’s showpiece final, it’s only fitting the league’s top two sides will once again battle it out for glory in the nation’s capital.
Twelve months ago O’Flaherty watched on as Sarries triumphed 27-10 to claim an impressive fourth league title in eight years. This time round, the London-born speedster hopes to be centre stage and part of the Chiefs match-day squad as they look to topple Mark McCall’s men.
“After last year’s final we were all gutted, even those of us who didn’t play,” explained O’Flaherty. “The changing room afterwards was pretty tough, a lot of the boys were gutted. That said, we’ve used that disappointment to drive us forward this year and now we’re back at Twickenham again, hopefully we can finish the job off this time around.
“We know the job is only half done, having won this game [against the Saints], but now we’ll use this coming week to get ourselves ready and look to unleash our game on them.”
As the sole change to Exeter’s starting line-up for Saturday’s clash against the Saints, O’Flaherty did not disappoint as he helped the Chiefs to run in six tries on the day, one of which he claimed himself with a stunning individual run in the second half.
Using the confidence instilled into him following the decision by Baxter to start him, the former Blackheath, Bridgend Ravens and Ospreys winger hopes to deliver once more in Saturday’s final.
“This is a massive result for us,” he added. “You want to be involved in these games and get to finals, so hopefully we can replicate it all again next week. Personally, it was nice to be thrown into the semi-final and play as well as I did.
“Being included like I was, it shows the coaches trust you and when you get the opportunity - like I did today - you have to make the most of it.”
Although Northampton offered a creditable threat for the first half at least on Saturday, it was the power game of the Chiefs that came through in the second period.
“We started well, got into an early lead, but then we kind of drew breath a little bit and Northampton capitalised well with their two tries,” he continued. “It didn’t help that I picked up a yellow card, but we regrouped well at half time and then we were able to go again in the second half.”
More of the same will be demanded this weekend from the Chiefs, who know the all-round threat of Saracens is there for all to see.
“It’s going to be tough,” said O’Flaherty. “We know about their threats and the power and physicality they bring, but they will probably say the same about us. What we have to do is just go after them from the first minute to the last and see how we end up.”