Mcguigan up for the fight

With just two rounds of the scheduled Aviva Premiership season to go, Byron McGuigan says the belief is there within the Exeter Chiefs ranks to go and book themselves a first-ever play-off place.

Although defeated 36-29 at rivals Wasps last Sunday, Rob Baxter's side remain just one place and one point away from the crucial top four placings.

Next up for the Devon club is a trip to fellow play-off challengers Saracens on Sunday, May 10, before they wrap their campaign up with a home engagement with Sale Sharks on Saturday, May 16.

As McGuigan acknowledged post-match at the Ricoh Arena, the opportunity for the Chiefs to keep their season alive remains alive and kicking.

"It's time to throw the kitchen sink at things, especially these last two games," said the talented full-back. "We certainly have the belief within the club and we can certainly take a lot from the second half on Sunday, so that's important. What we have to do is stay as positive as we can and look to get results from the last two games."

Overcoming Sarries on their own 4G turf will certainly be no formality, particularly as they chase a home semi-final berth, whilst the scars of Sale's last visit to Sandy Park - when they inflicted a 55-12 defeat on the Chiefs - remain firmly in the minds of many within the Exeter camp.

That said, the 25-year-old knows the importance of both encounters, saying: "We'll listen to what the coaches have to say after the Wasps game and see where we went wrong, but then it'll be heads down again and focusing on what will be two massive games.

"The boys know we still have a chance of the semi-finals and if we get into them, anything can happen from there. We know what needs to be done, so we just have to keep pushing."

Certainly the Chiefs will be looking to build off the back of their second half display against Wasps and not that of the first 40 minutes where they were somewhat subdued compared to recent displays.

"I thought the boys did well second half, but first half we didn't front up enough," explained McGuigan. "We needed an 80 minute performance, but we didn't quite do it. Fair play to Wasps, they stuck to their guns, played well and got the result."

One crumb of comfort for the Chiefs, however, was Gareth Steenson's last-gasp drop-goal did ensure a vital losing bonus point - and has nigh on guaranteed the club
will be back amongst Europe's elite in next season's Champions Cup.

"The boys worked hard in the second half and to get the bonus point at the end was big for us," continued McGuigan. "To be back in the Champions Cup is massive and is good reward for what we've done as a club this season."