"Refreshed" Chiefs are hard at work

Mark Twiggs believes a "refreshed" outlook has given the Exeter Chiefs a real spring in their step as they get stuck into the rigours of pre-season.

With Sandy Park currently closed to all and sundry due to the multi-million pound redevelopment works that are being carried out ahead of the 2014/15 season, the Chiefs squad have been forced to relocate to the University of Exeter for the majority of their build-up to the new campaign.

The enforced switch, however, has been hailed a huge success by Twiggs, who heads up the Aviva Premiership club's Strength & Conditioning department.

"The boys have had a nice break, but they've come back refreshed and ready to get stuck into pre-season," he said. "Training off site this year at the University of Exeter is certainly a refreshing change, especially with the facilities, and everyone is getting stuck in.

"For us as S&C staff, this is where the hard work begins for the guys. We definitely push them hard, but they push each other hard as well. The aim obviously is to get them in good shape and ready for the challenges that come in the season."

As well as working within the confines of Exeter University, the Chiefs have also used other local facilities including the swimming pool at Devon and Cornwall Police's HQ at Middlemoor, as well as Exmouth Beach.

Twiggs insists it's this period where much of the foundations for the new season are laid - so getting the players to maximise their efforts is key in the grand scheme of things.

He continued: "Pre-season wouldn't be the same without coming down to the beach and getting the boys up and down the dunes and in the sea. The boys love coming down here, getting stuck into each other on the sand, and having a real go with the physical stuff.

"As we always say, if you get the hard work done and put the effort in, then you get your rewards along the way. Of course there is still lots of work to do, but we've got a break coming up in a few weeks, so the guys can recharge the batteries a little bit. Until then, we'll work hard and then we'll  come back and prepare for all the pre-season games."

With the large nucleus of Rob Baxter's side well entrenched into Chiefs life, there are others who are experiencing the Chiefs culture and work ethic for the first time. Indeed, many of Baxter's summer signings are already in training and Twiggs has been impressed by what the new stock have brought to to the table.

"It's always nice to get a few new faces about the place," said Twiggs. "Those guys tend to bring new things and a few fresh ideas. They'll no doubt want to ramp things up, put their stamp on the place and show what they can bring to the Chiefs.

"For us as conditioners, we love all that as it it helps to push standards up and increase the bar right across the board. It's great to see them take on the challenges and push on all the other guys."

Photo courtesy of Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency