Woodburn set for all-out attack
By Mark Stevens
17/1/18
Olly Woodburn insists Exeter Chiefs will need to adopt the same attacking mindset against Glasgow Warriors to that which they showed in beating Montpellier in the European Champions Cup last weekend.
With just one round of qualification remaining, the Chiefs head North of the Border on Saturday knowing they must again produce another victory, probably with a try bonus point, to stand any chance of advancing into the last eight of the competition.
Even then that may not be enough to see Rob Baxter’s side progress, but winger Woodburn says it’s vital he and his team-mates give themselves every chance with a big display against the Warriors at Scotstoun.
“We knew we had to win the game last week and score tries and it will be exactly the same mentality this weekend,” said Woodburn, who scored two of Exeter’s six tries in their 41-10 success over Montpellier.
“Glasgow, we know, will be tough opponents, they showed that earlier in the season when they came down here. The good thing from our perspective is that we know we have to go there and win the game if we want any chance of progressing.”
Victory over Montpellier saw the Chiefs leapfrog their French rivals back into second spot in Pool 3 on 14 points – and has put them as potentially the best-placed English club at this stage of advancing further.
“We try to fly our own flag first,” admitted Woodburn when asked whether the Chiefs carried the hopes of the Premiership moving forward. “It was nice to get the win, especially against such a strong side. The English teams haven’t been going great in Europe, but we’ve put ourselves in a good position to carry the fight forward.”
Much will again be asked of the 26-year-old winger this weekend as he looks to help spearhead the Chiefs attack. Currently Woodburn is ranked in the top four in his position in every attacking category this season.
His form, however, continues to be overlooked by England head coach Eddie Jones, much to the surprise of many within the game. He is one of only two players, along with another in the England coach’s blind spot, Alex Goode, to have made over 1000 metres in the Premiership in 2017/18.
Yet when England’s Six Nations squad is announced tomorrow, Woodburn’s hunch is that even with Elliot Daly and Semesa Rokoduguni sidelined he will continue to be left looking in from the outside.
“There have been a lot of England announcements over the last couple of years and I have not really paid much attention,” he said. “I try not to wait and watch too much. I just try and play the best rugby I can. If it happens, it happens. There is a certain type of winger he likes.
“Some coaches you get along with, some coaches you don’t. If I can play my best rugby, play for the best team in the country and compete at this level in Europe then I am happy.”
A product of the Bath academy, Woodburn left for Sandy Park three seasons ago after being frustrated by a lack of opportunity at The Rec. It has been a marriage made in Devon.
The Chiefs’ player of the season when they won the Premiership last year and a nominee for the league award too, he has been even better this time around.
“I was always a fringe player at Bath and coming in here I was not expecting to get as much rugby and as much exposure as I have. I guess I could fit in the mould as a misfit,” he said.
“There is an awesome coaching set-up here with the two Rob’s [Baxter & Hunter], Ali [Hepher] and Ricky [Pellow] and everyone is moving forward. We are all trying to improve ourselves and all chipping in. The one thing above everything would be the enjoyment. Every week we try to enjoy the rugby we play, the style we play and the attacking side of rugby, we really enjoy that.
“I have played some very good rugby this year. Coming on the back of last year I wanted to keep improving and I am still keeping that mentality.”