Glady. If you watched the first couple of games, especially the first one at home to Gloucester, there was a huge lack of cohesion and structure. The defence was very unorganised and we struggled to break the gainline going forward.
Tonight and last week in Bristol especially, were much better team performances. Far more organised, the defensive line was set up much better and was a far more dynamic attack. Last week individual handling errors cost us big. They were in both these games for large parts of it, unlike the first couple games where they were never in it. From where they started its a marked improvement, it's a far better side than started the season, I think that's what Patrick O'Grady is referring to.
Was a difficult scoreline to take tonight but they had a substantially stronger side. We defended for 80% of the game and were down to 13 men for 10 mins, so naturally tired in the last 10 mins and Exeter scored a bucket load in the end. We were completely bullied up front by several internationals in the Exeter pack and didn't see the ball enough to show too much. Great to see TBC & Joe coming back from injury. Ben Loader had a very good game when he came on, as did our frequently borrowed hooker/back row Tom Woolstencroft & Lasha had his best game in an Irish shirt so far.
The squad will get a break now with no more A-League till November and several of them have done enough to be hoping to play in the Challenge Cup & LV. Special credit should go to Irish (& Exeter) for actually fielding a side, as we were the ONLY A-League game that went ahead today. Every other game was called off (Wasps v Saints at the last minute because they couldn't find an ambulance 😏
