Press Conference Notes 03.10.18

Press Conference Notes

Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol Bears at Sixways Stadium (3pm).

Here’s what he had to say:

Exeter Chiefs

  • At 21-3 down we showed terrific resolve and resilience and kept them try-less in the second-half until the 73rd minute when we were down to 14 men.
  • Exeter are a power side and there are lessons to be learned but we were pleased with a lot of aspects of our game.

Bristol Bears

  • Anyone who has watched Bristol in the Championship and their five Premiership matches knows how good they are.
  • Bristol have prepared well in the Championship. They have had the same team, the same systems and the same coaching staff and they have brought in some big players.
  • They are a possession-based team who are going to keep the ball.
  • The crowd have a big role to play. We are anticipating a big crowd and our supporters mean a lot to us.
  • It’s a two-way street. We have to give the crowd something to cheer about.

European Rugby

  • The lads who have played week in, week out for us will be given a rest after the Gallagher Premiership block.
  • We have genuine competition for places. That is healthy and the players who play in Europe will compete.
  • The European matches will give an opportunity for guys who have not been involved as much to put their hands up and show they should be considered.
  • Rory Duncan will oversee the team in the European Challenge Cup and the Premiership Rugby Cup.

Injury News

  • Josh Adams has trained and is looking good.
  • Sam Lewis is fully fit.
  • Duncan Weir is fully fit.
  • Ethan Waller is back in training again.
  • Ben Te’o is still struggling a little bit with a calf injury and hasn’t taken part in training this week.
  • Wynand Olivier is close to playing again.
  • Cornell du Preez is still in hospital and will be there for another two or three weeks. But he is improving. Everyone has been very supportive.
  • Jamie Shillcock should be ready for our trip to Paris next week.
  • Scott van Breda took part in training earlier this week and really enjoyed it. He probably won’t be fit for the first European Challenge Cup match.

New owners

  • I have met with Jed McCrory and he seems to be a good bloke. He wants to do good things with the Club so it’s positive.
  • We always get on with our jobs and don’t worry about the things we don’t control but it’s positive for the Club that the sale has now gone through.

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