HEINEKEN CUP Jess winging in to European test
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- Created on Saturday, 20 October 2012 13:20
- Last Updated on Saturday, 20 October 2012 14:39
- Published on Friday, 19 October 2012 15:21
Exeter Chiefs ace Matt Jess is relishing winging in to the international challenge posed by ASM Clermont Auvergne at Sandy Park tonight (1800).
After making his Heineken Cup bow against cup holders Leinster, top try scorer Jess admits: "Mentally and physically we have proved we can go with the best.
"We had to deal with big pressures.
"Against Clermont we are going to have to put in another great performance. (If we want to win) we are probably going to have to up it by another 10 per cent especially with all the internationals they have got in their side.
"We can be proud of our performance against Leinster. If we can repeat that performance and add a little bit more you never know what you can do."
Chiefs are set to be backed by a packed house of partisan supporters, cheering wing king Jess and Co towards the try line at every opportunity.
The popular 28-year-old former Cornish Pirates, Newport Gwent Dragons and Cornish All Blacks try-scoring flyer says he is enjoying prime time rugby and his chance to help show what Chiefs can bring to European rugby's big stage.
"After being in the Championship-winning squad if somebody had said to me the pinnacle of my career would be playing in the Premiership then I would be a happy man.
"But to say you have played in the Amlin Cup and now the Heineken Cup is almost like ticking boxes for me and I want more. It gives me that hunger, shows what hard work coming up through the leagues can do.
"Most of all it is testament to the squad because without the squad's performance we would not be here . . . or playing in the Heineken Cup.
"It is a massive testament to the coaching staff and everyone here at Exeter Chiefs.
"I love being on this rollercoaster ride and don't want to come of it."
• Chief try scorer Matt Jess (pinnacle photo agency)
• how they line-up tonight - Chiefs v Clermont team starting XVs
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