Welcome to Leicester Road for this third game of the season which will be doubt be an exciting one - taking out the fact we are both currently 10 points from 10, we had two tremendous games against Exeter last year, the home game decided by a piece of Ben Pointon magic.

It’s been a great start to season with 6 wins from 6 across the 1st XV, Stags and U23’s, whilst the Hunters also got underway with a win last week, but this will be the biggest week so far. The task for a Staghounds is a tough one over at Mansfield, whilst for the 1st XV this Exeter side has excelled so far in this campaign.

Whilst the 1st XV were in Loughborough last week some of you may have watched the Stags against Birstall and will have seen it was a shortened, 11 a – side fixture which to Birstall not being able to raise a full side. The league rules meant the game was able to be played as a league fixture and the Stags showed professionalism in their attitude and performance but we sincerely hope it isn’t something which happens again. In very positive news however for the Staghounds we have been successful in our application to play in the Leicestershire County Cup along with the top 1st XVs in the county below Level 4, and we have been drawn against Market Bosworth in the Quarter Final (date TBC) – look out for details of that game on the website when we have them.

The 1s win at Loughborough last week was a fine effort, and what we did better than we have done in any point through pre-season was take our chances, and score from distance – this is not just exciting to watch but it gives the player’s real confidence. If we can combine that with what we did against Bournville the week before (did Dale Bowyer tell you he scored 5 from the maul that day…..) then this year really has a potential to be an exciting one.

Enjoy today, and enjoy the feast of world cup action – it isn’t as big a weekend as the opening one with the Tier 1 Nations playing Tier 2’s across the board – watch out for Tonga against Ireland tonight however – if there is going to be an upset, I think this is best chance of it.

Chris