Premiership Women’s Rugby: Exeter Chiefs impress ahead of semi-final

Exeter Chiefs coach Steve Salvin said his side’s 59-27 win over Leicester Tigers stands them in good stead for their Premiership Women’s Rugby semi-final at Gloucester on Sunday.

Chiefs ran in nine tries with winger Connie Clarke scoring two on her full debut.

England forward Maddie Feaunati and Merryn Doidge also crossed twice as Exeter ended the season in fourth place, teeing up a semi-final at table-topping Gloucester.

“It’s obviously a rerun of last year’s final, I think the challenge for us is to put a better performance on than we did this time last year,” Salvin told BBC Radio Devon.

“Ultimately, we were a little bit disappointed with what we put on up there, but we know when we’re fit and firing we’re a match for any side, so it’s going to be a great game.”

He added: “The fact that everyone got really good time on the field is hugely beneficial going into next weekend’s semi-final.

“It was important that everyone got plenty of match practice today, so for everyone to get that I think is a really significant thing.

“I think if you’d have offered us 57 points before the game we’d have taken that absolutely as well.”