POOL B
Exeter Chiefs v Doncaster Knights
Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has recalled fly-half Gareth Steenson and Chad Slade into his initial 27-man squad for Saturday`s return match against Doncaster Knights at Sandy Park.
Both players missed the trip to Castle Park last week through injury but Steenson might find it hard to dislodge Danny Gray after a fine place kicking display helped the Chiefs to a vital 21-19 win.
Baxter told the Express & Echo, "We've talked a lot about it as a squad and they will get one or two opportunities in these games, the biggest games this club has ever been involved in.”
"Danny came in for an injury having kept himself prepared well, kept mentally focused and kept his goal kicking up. He comes in, gets a game, gets a 43-metre penalty chance to win us the game and what happens? It goes over. That's because he's put the work in and it's a great credit to Danny.”
"He's had to spend the hours kicking the goals to make sure he's prepared for that moment and that's what we're trying to say to the other guys. We're bound to have injuries or loss of form at any stage and if you get them now the guys who come in need to be up to speed.”
"The opportunities are there, they're just one step away, and it would be tragic if they got that opportunity and they didn't take it. What's fantastic is that if they're in good nick when they come in and it goes well for them, there's every opportunity that they will stay there and get to play in some massive games."
Exeter squad:- Alcott, Baxter, Budgen, Clark, Gannon, Hanks, Hayes, Johnson, Andy Miller, Moon, Scaysbrook, Slade, Sturgess, Tui, Bolt, Cornwell, Dollman, Foster, Gray, Jess, Jones, Locke, Rennie, Sestaret, Steenson, Stuart-Smith, Thomas
Speaking ahead of Saturday`s game Knights boss Lynn Howells told the Sheffield Star, "I said before the play-offs started that any team wanting to reach the semi-finals would probably have to win all their home games and try and pick up something away from home. Having lost at home it is even more vital that we do that on Saturday."
Story www.thestar.co.uk
However, Knights Lock Glen Kenworthy and fly half Brooks are both struggling to be fit for the weekend with shoulder injuries.
Story/www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
Nottingham v London Welsh
Nottingham skipper Craig Hammond believes that back to back home fixtures against the Welsh and Doncaster hold the key to his side’s fortunes in the play-offs.
The Green and Whites top Pool B on points difference from Exeter Chiefs and the 31 year-old New Zealander thinks that the Championship semi-finals are now within the grasp of his team.
He told the Evening Post, “Our home form has been really good so far this season and I am confident we can carry that into Sunday's game. We need a big and noisy crowd and a win – it's as simple as that. It's a hard task to play London Welsh back-to-back.
"They will want to come into our backyard and cause an upset – especially after we beat them four tries to nil last weekend.”
He continued, "It's never easy to play a team two weeks in a row but we have to go out there and do a job again on Sunday. Being at home is a huge advantage for us. Meadow Lane is a pretty tough place for teams to come and play and we are in our comfort zone. It could be an exciting one."
Story www.thisisnottingham.co.uk
London Welsh head coach Danny Wilson told the Richmond & Twickenham Times just what Sunday`s game means to his team.
He said, “Simply put, we have to beat Nottingham up there to have any chance. If we lose, Nottingham and Exeter are in a very strong position and I could not see us coming back from that.”
“If I am totally honest I think we probably need to win all three of our remaining games. But all we can do is win this first one and than look at the situation again.”
Story www.richmondandtwickenhamtimes.co.uk
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Championship Index 09/10
