Director of Rugby Alan Solomons spoke to the media today ahead of Friday’s Gallagher Premiership match against Bristol Bears at Sixways (kick-off 6.00pm).
Here’s what Alan had to say:
On the Exeter performance
- Having the experience of playing against that level of opposition will stand our young players in good stead for the future.
- One of the young players who played at Exeter spoke to me in his review this week and he said that the experience was incredible and he learnt so much.
- Exeter are an incredibly good side. They took a second XV to Ashton Gate last week and beat a powerful Bristol team. So we are talking about an exceptional team full of British Lions and internationals.
- The schedule is such that you cannot play the same team week after week and each club will have their own approach to selection and squad rotation.
On Matt Cox’s 100th appearance
- Matt has been a fantastic servant for many years and I thought he played exceptionally well at the weekend. As soon as you do that then you play yourself into contention for the 23 in the next match.
- I also thought Matti Williams and Isaac Miller made very positive contributions when they came on for the last 20 minutes.
On Bristol
- We expect Bristol to put out their best possible side having rested a number of players against Sale Sharks at the weekend.
- It’s going to be a tough fixture, but it always is against Bristol.
Selection challenges
- The competition has been resumed in unique circumstances and you have to see everything in the broader context of the Coronavirus pandemic. These are very difficult circumstances for everyone and we are very fortunate that we are able to play rugby again.
- Regulations are in place to look after the players. No one can make three starts in a week and no one can play more than 180 minutes in total in week.
Which of the young players have impressed you in recent weeks?
- Noah Heward has done splendidly. He’s still only 19 but he has really grasped his opportunity.
- James Scott has got valuable game time at lock, Alex Hearle, who made his Premiership debut at Exeter, is a talented young player who will benefit from that experience and Gareth Simpson has also gained valuable Premiership experience.
- Kai Owen is ready to come back from injury having missed the first four matches back.
- The Academy have done a splendid job as have the clubs where these players have been on dual registrations.
- The new intake of eight Academy players joined us for training today. They will be part and parcel of the squad going forward and there some very good young players in that group.
Injuries
- GJ van Velze dislocated a shoulder. We have got to wait for the swelling to go down and he will then have scans which will determine whether he is treated conservatively or whether he will require surgery. But he will miss the remainder of the 2019/20 season.
- Tom Dodd withdrew from the side at Exeter because he was not cleared to play having suffered a head injury at Wasps.
- Sam Lewis is going through the HIA protocols and a five day turn-around is probably too short for him to play against Bristol.
- Matt Moulds has had a scan on the foot he had surgery on. The specialist is pleased with his progress but Matt is unlikely to play this season.
- Conor Carey is also progressing well but he is also unlikely to play before the 2020/21 season.
- Perry Humphreys is still troubled by his ankle injury.
- Ed Fidow is back in training this week having recovered from his groin injury.
- Jamie Shillcock is still a couple of weeks away.
- Melani Nanai has completed his three match suspension and is available for selection this week.