Cast your mind back to when Worcester were last in the Premiership, before Exeter Chiefs' promotion, when we were subjected to the monotony of last seasons relegated team making a return to the Premiership the very next year. There were calls, however minor, for the RFU to change the system to a two up, two down. Change the system they did, introducing a play-off competition between the top eight clubs. Each side played the other sides in their division, home and away. The two highest placed sides in each division went through to a single-leg semi-final, and the semi-final winners played a two-legged final. So it was in a two legged final that Exeter Chiefs ran out clear winners over Bristol (38 “ 16 on Aggregate).
Exeter's arrival in the Premiership was heralded. Travelling fans relished the idea of a trip down to Sandy Park, the superb ground enhanced by a loyal and vibrant core of fans; give the stadium an amazing atmosphere. The travelling Shed were in full voice when they arrived at Sandy Park for Exeter's first game in the Premiership, they were to leave with moans and groans as Exeter got off to a winning start. Gloucester weren't the only team to come away from Sandy Park disappointed, Harlequins, Northampton and Wasps all followed in the coming months. Exeter built the foundation of their Premiership survival on a strong home record and crucially picked up the loosing bonus points throughout the season.
Exeter came to the Premiership with a strong game plan based on retaining their own set piece, being clinical and not being out muscled. It was a game plan honed and perfected in the Championship. Fast forward to this season, it is no less effective. They regularly utilise the metronomically accurate boot of Gareth Steenson and now benefit from the influential Ignacio Mieres, more often than not an accurate goal kicker is the difference between winning and losing. However it would be an injustice to say that Exeter have kicked their way to Premiership survival, though they are not a side to throw the ball around (they finished last season without a try bonus point) they are a highly clinical team and for this Rob Baxter should be applauded. He has created a side with the strength to create opportunities, and finish them too. In part this is down to the decisions that the Chiefs make, perhaps they are not experienced Premiership campaigners but from 1 “ 15, what ever side they decide to put out, it is packed full of experienced rugby players. This resulted in a side that was not overawed when they came up against the bigger Premiership sides with their big names and star players; this could be said for the French sides as well, as Exeter went on to a healthy showing in Europe.
They have their danger men; Luke Arscott was superb last season, among the top clean breaks made and defenders beaten. This season Mieres has been superb and Sireli Naqelevuki had been in unstoppable form until breaking his arm against Gloucester.
What has impressed me the most though is Exeter's pack, they are physical, fit and well drilled. They always deliver ball at their own set piece and time after time give their half backs immaculately clean ball, as well as making a mess of the oppositions. Tom Johnson received his just rewards last season, when he was called up to the England squad after a strong all round season that saw him come second on the Top Carries stats. The Chiefs forwards know their job in attack and defence, and do it to grim perfection.
Exeter have cemented their place in the Premiership, in all aspects, they regularly attract large crowds, have a strong squad that is strengthened by a canny recruitment policy and are no strangers to the try line. The issue for Rob Baxter and his men now is building on this success, the last thing they want to do is to be remembered as a mid table side. In my opinion they should be targeting silverware and Heineken Cup qualification, to this end I think a strong performance in the league should be matched by the ultimate goal of running out LV Cup winners.