Appleby: Chiefs are still the hunters - not the hunted

Susie Appleby maintains that Exeter Chiefs are still the hunters and not the hunted despite their superb start to the Premiership Women's Rugby season.

Chiefs are the only team to remain undefeated, making it a perfect five from five with their 29-12 win over fellow high-fliers Saracens last week.

But Appleby is keen to keep feet on the ground in Devon and will not be letting her players get ahead of themselves.

"We never have any expectations, our focus is on being us and just improving," she said.

"The message is constantly that we want to train like the hunters and not the hunted.

"You've got to believe that you're second best. There can be thinking you're the top of the tree. That is the refreshing thing about our players, they just want to be better."

The team to beat 🤝@ExeChiefsWomen have started the season at breakneck pace, but will they keep up the momentum when they face Loughborough Lightning this weekend? ⚔️#PWR #PoweredDifferently pic.twitter.com/xFpeH3hItY

— Premiership Women's Rugby (@ThePWR) November 7, 2024

Chiefs have benefitted from a particularly impressive scrum and driving maul so far this season, with their set-pieces being a key aspect of their game.

"We've been able to dominate games with our set piece, particularly our scrum, which is really pleasing," Appleby said.

"Our defence has been working really well as well which is giving us opportunities. 

"We're not the finished article but no one is going to be at game six.

"Even if your set piece is dominant, teams will attack from anywhere and so we want to keep those teams guessing.

"That's what we want to become but there's only so much players can change within a season so that's the main thing, keeping the opposition on their toes."

Strong performances from props DaLeaka Menin and Hope Rogers have also been key to Chiefs' strong start, with Rogers a useful source of tries and Menin shining against Saracens on her return from international duty with Canada.

Appleby added: "When I started coaching and playing, people always said the tighthead was the cornerstone of the team and I always thought it was ridiculous as I was a scrum-half.

"But DaLeaka Menin last week was immense. She did what she's being doing out with Canada and she doesn't say anything, she just does it.

"Those are wonderful players to have because if she does that, everyone else will follow."

Exeter welcome Loughborough Lightning to Sandy Park on Sunday with ambitions to extend their winning streak to six.

Loughborough sit seventh in the table but Appleby is more than aware of the threat they pose as a team still yet to reach their potential.

"Loughborough are sitting further down the league than where they should be and therefore are an underdog," she said.

"They are a really good side and are underrated and without some of their key players.

"The top of the table is irrelevant because so many teams can turn things around.

"This is what is so brilliant about this league now, it has grown to the degree that everyone wants to play in it and people want to be the best they can be."