Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

- PAUL REES

The Chiefs went into the league break ninth in the table, one point ahead of Newcastle who defeated them at Kingston Park last month.

The team that finishes bottom this season faces the prospect of a twolegged play-off against the Championship winners, although that will hinge on the second tier side meeting the criteria.

“Relegation is there, but we still stick to what we know,” said Becconsall, one of five scrumhalves who have started Exeter’s eight matches this season in the league and Premiership Cup. “If we do that, we will be fine.

“We came close in some of the games, but when you lose the pressure builds. We looked to use the Premiership Cup to start enjoying our rugby again and put the wheels in motion ahead of our next league game at Bath.

“It is really important we get a result to release the pressure. We went well in pre-season and thought we would fly out in our first home game to Leicester only to lose in the final minute.”