Exeter Chiefs plan to raid fortress Loftus Versfeld on Saturday

Exeter Chiefs have upped the ante ahead of Saturday’s Champions’ Cup clash with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.

Exeter Chiefs chasing top seeding

The Chiefs’ demolition of the Bulls at Sandy Park, coupled with their away win over Castres has left them second in Pool A, just behind powerhouse Leinster and another away win over the Bulls would give them one of the top seedings before the preliminary round has finished.

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While the Bulls have not lost to overseas opposition at Loftus Versfeld since their current Director of Rugby Jake White has taken over, their recent form, coupled with White’s emergency surgery this past week that will keep him away from the side for the next few fixtures, could well have given the Chiefs an opening.

White won’t be back in charge of the side until at least the 8th of February, meaning there is currently a void with his assistant coaches taking charge. While the Bulls did record a bonus-point win against the Dragons in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship match last Friday night, before that they lost three in a row and will be under pressure against a good Chiefs side.

The match is set to be played in perfect conditions with sun and a hard pitch waiting for Exeter and the Bulls will have taken notice of that fact to boost their confidence when coupled with their good home form against overseas opposition.

Loftus under threat

Exeter coach Ali Hepher though, sees the opportunity for his side to lay down a marker in their first trip to South Africa.

“It’s hugely exciting,” Hepher said. “It’s a different competition, a different climate, a different country, but it’s something to really enjoy.

“For us, though, it’s a massive opportunity at the end of next week to push our claims for top seedings later in the tournament. It’s an opportunity for us to really go after things.

“It will be tough, we know that, but it’s a chance to test ourselves against the best. It will be good to put ourselves up against one of the best and see where we are at.”

England hooker out

Exeter will be without their talisman, England hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the first fixture between the two sides at Sandy Park. Cowan-Dickie was injured in the win over Northampton Saints last Saturday and will be missed.

Exeter are still waiting for an update on his condition and Director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes he will be out for some length of time.

“I believe he is seeing a surgeon today and the surgeon will then give us an indication,” said Baxter. “I think at this stage, we have got to say it is relatively bad. I don’t want want to be flippant and say it will be eight weeks, 10 weeks, 12 weeks (out).

“I think we are assessing that, but you are not going to be seeing him running around in the next three or four weeks.

“If you look at the mechanism of the injury, it’s pretty awkward. He ends up kind of half-breaking through a tackle, someone fell on the back of his legs and he ends up with his ankles crossed and one foot twists underneath him.

“He was very annoyed on Saturday evening, as you can imagine. He had been massively looking forward to coming over here (South Africa), experiencing being over here with the club and being involved in a big game.

“The Heineken Cup means a lot to him and the truth is, he is a really good guy and really wants to have a big impact this season with him leaving. I think a lot of that really bothered him.

“Having said that, if there is a guy who can come back on time or sooner from an injury, it does tend to be Luke. I think there is a lot of the season left for him, but we just want to get things rolling quickly so we can get that rehab down significantly so he doesn’t miss too much more of the season.”

Injury woes for Exeter Chiefs

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The Chiefs will also be missing Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg, who is sitting with a heel injury.

“Stuart did a fitness test on Saturday pre-game and still couldn’t run at speed or couldn’t put any distance in his heel. It was still too sore,” Baxter said. 

“He will be doing a kind of rehab programme this week while we are away. As soon as his heel is comfortable enough, he will be declared fit to play again. It’s not like a ligament thing or something that will require an operation.”

Can Exeter Chiefs come away from Loftus with a win? Let us know what you think in the comments below.