Whitten keen to finish on a high

EXETER may be the underdogs in next Sunday’s Champions Cup semi-final against holders La Rochelle in Bordeaux, but Ian Whitten says recent history suggests the Chiefs should not be written off.

- PAUL REES

Whitten was an ever present in Exeter’s 2020 Champions Cup success when they defeated Racing 92 in the final at Ashton Gate having doubled La Rochelle in the group stage and overcome Toulouse, who are involved in the other semi-final against Leinster, in the semi-final.

“We know the task we face because La Rochelle have grown as a team in the last three years, but we have been successful on a number of French grounds,” said the 35-year old centre who is retiring at the end of the season having arrived at Sandy Park in 2012.

“Big players rise to the occasion in cauldrons and it does not matter where you play in the Champions Cup. The tournament holds a lot of good memories for us and I hope the lads play their best stuff on the day. We have not been great on the road in the league this season, but a big semi-final is something to be relished, not be afraid of.”