Nottingham Rugby forwards must win the battle

NOTTINGHAM Rugby must win the battle of the forwards to keep their nine-game unbeaten run going against Exeter Chiefs tomorrow, Glenn Delaney has said.

The Green and Whites director of rugby is hoping his players can put a difficult week off the pitch behind them as they try to leapfrog the Chiefs into second place in National Division One at Sandy Park (3pm).

He said: "Both sets of locks are arguably the best in the league and this game will be won and lost up front.

"This is a huge game for us and a big challenge, one which I know the players are up for. It's all about going down to Exeter and performing.

"They are a good side with large squad of quality players who have been playing well and winning well. But they were poor away at Manchester and I'm expecting some big head-to-head contests."

Delaney is confident his players will be focused on beating Exeter and putting more pressure on leaders Leeds Carnegie.

He said: "We must focus on what we are in control of, and we are completely in control of our destiny on the field. Despite the diversions this week, the training has been first class and we are well prepared.

"This group of players at Nottingham are a very special bunch and very close friends. They will have their minds on the task this Saturday, I have no doubt about that."

With a club record nine straight victories behind them it has been rare this year that Nottingham have gone into a game as underdogs.

But Exeter are perennially strong at home and the Chiefs have also won nine games this season.

Delaney said: "We are excited about going down to Sandy Park, we have been waiting to get back down there since the semi-final (of the EDF Trophy) last year and the win at home against Exeter in March has only whetted the appetite.

"Exeter and Nottingham have built up a very healthy rivalry in the last few years and this is a big opportunity for us to put our marker down for the rest of the season."

Matt Parr, Tim Usasz, Lee Morley, Dan Montagu and Alex Dodge return to the team for the trip south.

Nottingham: David Jackson, Andrew Savage, Rohaan Nirmalendran, Tim Molenaar, Alex Dodge, Tim Taylor, Tim Usasz; Matt Parr, Joe Duffey, Nigel Hall, Lee Morley, Nic Rouse, Craig Hammond, Luke Sherriff, Dan Montagu. Replacements: Robbie Harris, Neil Fowkes, Gareth McComb, Dan Hemingway, Chris Pilgrim, Ben Thompson, Jack Cobden.

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If you want to support the 'Keep Professional Rugby Alive in Nottingham' campaign, call Geoff Huckstep on 07802 956065, or visit www.nottinghamrugby.co.uk, which has a variety of ways in which the public can help. Alternatively, phone 0115 907 0072 or e-mail rob.harding@nottinghamrugby.co.uk for more details.