OJO'S INSIDE LINE: Visit of Exeter is to savour (From Wiltshire Times)

OJO'S INSIDE LINE: Visit of Exeter is to savour

3:30pm Friday 26th October 2012 in Sport

IF I wasn’t coaching Trowbridge against Weymouth in Southern Counties South tomorrow, I’d most definitely be down at the Rec for what should be a very interesting clash between Bath and Exeter Chiefs.

The Chiefs have been a breath of fresh air in the Aviva Premiership and have taken their first foray in the Heineken Cup in the last fortnight.

After running reigning champions Leinster close in the first week, they took a bit of a beating at the hands of Clermont-Auvergne last weekend and it’s going to be interesting to see how they react to that.

I can’t really remember the last time that Exeter got thumped and perhaps it will be good news for Bath in that it may sow some seeds of doubt in the minds of players who haven’t experienced that for a while.

If I know the Exeter coaching team and how they work, though, they’ll be looking to put things right straightaway.

To me, this is the most important game of the season so far for Bath.

In a sense, it’s like their game at Gloucester a few weeks back.

I felt Bath had nothing to lose in that game, with Gloucester at home, and it’s the same situation for Exeter here.

The Chiefs will again be on a journey of discovery – trying to find out how far they have come and, if they lose, people won’t be that surprised with Bath being the home side.

The visitors though, have real grit. They want to be one of the west country rugby giants and taking a scalp like Bath’s on their own turf, would be a big step for them.

For the home team, however, it would be a bitter blow for their development under the coaching regime of Gary Gold if they were to lose this match.

• Let Steve know your thoughts via wiltshiretimes.co.uk or ohoulihan@newswilts.co.uk