Campbell Ridl: Exeter winger labelled ‘huge talent’ after Bristol hat-trick

Ridl’s breakthrough into the first team has not been totally smooth.

He missed the start of this season with a broken hand and was banned for two matches last month after mistiming a jump for a high ball and taking out Bath’s Henry Arundell.

“I’m very pleased where I am right now,” Ridl told BBC Radio Devon.

“I think everything just goes up for me, so I’m really happy and just keen to keep growing and growing and getting better and better.

“It was a tough decision,” he added of his ban. “But I think I just need to be more aware.

“I was watching the ball too much, not watching the player. I’ve been working on it quite a lot now so hopefully that wouldn’t happen again.”

Ridl is part of a competitive area of the Exeter squad as he competes with England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, England ‘A’ winger Paul Brown-Bampoe and veteran Olly Woodburn for a place out wide.

Should the hamstring injury Feyi-Waboso suffered while with England not heal in time for the return of Prem action next month, Ridl could be in line to add to the three league starts he had before his ban.

Ridl says director of rugby Rob Baxter is keeping a close eye on his progress as Exeter aim to bring through another impressive winger from their ranks.

“He says I need to put on some more weight, get a bit more bulkier, but he’s really impressed with where I’ve come from now,” Ridl added.

“His main thing is just keep working hard, play every game like it’s your last.

“So I think that’s one point that we all have in our minds the whole time and it makes us really play well.”