Thomas Waldrom nervous about return to Leicester with Exeter
Friday 27 March 2015 14:20, UK
Exeter’s Thomas Waldrom says he is “a little bit nervous” as he prepares to return to former club Leicester in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership clash.
England No 8 Waldrom’s current side could hurt the Tigers’ play-off chances with a win at Welford Road, although the home side are only two points behind the visitors.
With only five games remaining, the Chiefs sit in second spot, nine points behind leaders Northampton with Leicester just outside the play-off places in fifth.
Waldrom, who is the league’s top try-scorer this season with 12, is fully focused on the task at hand.
He said: “I knew the time was going to come when I would have to go back there, but it’s here now and I know how important a game it is in the context of the season and where we want to go.
“For them, it’s great to have that history, and I was very fortunate to be a part of that during my time at the club, but we have to go there and play our style and attack them as best we can.”
Both sides have won their last four Premiership matches. They have met twice already this season, with Leicester winning at Exeter in the league back in September, and the Chiefs winning the LV Cup semi-final on March 15.
Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter said: "We have five (league) rounds remaining, and we are in a position we've never been in before.
Challenge
"I know, speaking to the guys, that this challenge will bring the best out of us, but at the same time we have to make the most of the day and the whole occasion and not think any further than 5pm on Saturday.
"Right now, there are a number of teams all fighting for the top four and the top six, but it's so tight that when you say you are fighting for the top six, in reality you are fighting for the top four.
"A win here or there, or the odd bonus point, it can all change very quickly.
"And that is why I've said to the group that I am not overly concerned where we will be in five or six weeks. I want to look to see where we will be on Saturday afternoon, and that's all that matters."
