Comments on: Why Exeter will win the Premiership

By: Shea Devine

Shea Devine — Sat, 06 May 2017 05:42:08 +0000

a well thought out and reasoned piece…all the same…

By: Shea Devine

Shea Devine — Sat, 06 May 2017 05:39:41 +0000

possibly …..but Saracens seem so strong on every level that I think they will do the double.

By: AndyB

AndyB — Thu, 04 May 2017 15:43:48 +0000

As a Chiefs fan I am not too bothered about the prospect of facing Sarries in a Semi at SP, think we have better chance of beating them at home than at twickers. If we beat them, I cant see us then losing to Wasps in the final.

By: James redmond

James redmond — Thu, 04 May 2017 12:22:46 +0000

I agree. I have Sarries backed @ 11/10 with Chelsea @ 2/1 to win FA cup for £250.
I worry about Exeter though.

By: Henno

Henno — Thu, 04 May 2017 09:40:07 +0000

I’m a Wasps fan and agree with much of this (other than thinking Sarries will again prove too good at defending for Chiefs in the final).
I hate to admit it but Wasps do seem to be going the Toulon route, buying players in and relying on their individual talents. Take Le Roux as an example, He arrived midweek and was in the match day squad that weekend, there was no easing him in through training. This must be detrimental to squad moral, particularly the likes of Rob Miller who was a solid player last season and when Beale was injured at the start of this season. Part of it may well come from Beales injury meaning Dai Young feels he has to play his marque players as much as possible to get as many minutes per buck!
Compare this to the togetherness that Sarries and Exeter show and it’s not hard to pinpoint why they seem to be better at winning in high pressure environments

By: Henry Ker

Henry Ker — Wed, 03 May 2017 14:02:38 +0000

Not at all Keith! Nothing but respect for Wasps who have been fantastic for the majority of the season

By: Henry Ker

Henry Ker — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:56:49 +0000

Apologies Trevor – clearly getting ahead of myself there! Amended.

While I can see Exeter getting a TBP win against Gloucester, I don’t see Wasps getting one against the meanest defence in the league, even if Saracens are to field a second-string side and expect Exeter to finish top in the final standings.

By: Keith

Keith — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:40:14 +0000

I read this article which in essence is a thinly veiled attack on Wasps! Throughout the season Wasps have been the most attacking and entertaining team in the premiership. If they play to their strengths and don’t worry about the opposition then they can take even the best of sides apart on the day. I believe Wasps season revolves around the home semi final and hopefully they can get to Twickenham again. My prediction for the semi finals would be Wasps v Leicester and Exeter v Saracens with a Wasps v Saracens final.

By: Trevor Nelmes

Trevor Nelmes — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:08:31 +0000

This ‘article’ says (in the 2nd para) Exeter are first in the AP table, Sarries second and Wasps third. Wrong. Wasps are 1st, Exeter 2nd and Sarries 3rd.

Sarries are expected to field a second team at the Ricoh vs Wasps. Wasps’ home record is a long line of TBP wins, with 8 out of the last 10 home wins.

I expect Exeter to get a TBP win this weekend, as should Wasps. So Exeter will get to play a resurgent Sarries at Sandy Park in the SF, and Wasps will most likely play the Tigers at the Ricoh.

I am not sure Exeter can beat Sarries in that SF, but I do expect Wasps to beat the Tigers, and so the final would be Wasps vs Sarries, and I expect Sarries to get the win.

But, whatever, I will enjoy watching some scintillating and edge of the seat rugby. What a year this has been.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Wed, 03 May 2017 12:35:42 +0000

I think Exeter stand a better chance of winning than they did last year, they will no doubt have learnt from the experience.

I just think they’re a bit behind Saracens on their “journey”. The Saracens players have a lot of experience winning (and losing) big games at club and international level, and on paper, I’m not sure there’s many Exeter players that would make the Saracens team.

That said, if they do beat Saracens on the way to winning the title, it will be thoroughly deserved, and could put Baxter in line for the England job. Although will he be able to adjust to not having the constant contact with the players like at club level?

By: JK

JK — Wed, 03 May 2017 12:24:54 +0000

More akin to Tottenham than Arsenal, surely? Haven’t won anything yet, but heading in the right direction without spending (relatively) a bomb, built around a core of young English talent.

By: Ed T

Ed T — Wed, 03 May 2017 11:59:27 +0000

I’m slightly biased, being an Exeter fan, but I do agree with Henry, for the simple reason that they’ll have learnt from last season. Getting through to the final and riding on that wave of emotion meant that Chiefs started the final very poorly, which meant they were always chasing the game, even when with a close finish. However, this year, they’ll definitely be more clinical when they face Saracens, having learnt from that experience last year, with the face-off probably being in the final.