NEALE HARVEY looks at the tussle for the No.9 spot at Exeter Chiefs.
Jack Maunder reckons increased competition for Exeter’s No.9 jersey will boost his side’s chances of achieving the fast start they need to retain their Premiership crown.
The arrival at Sandy Park of Australia Test star Nic White means that Maunder – freshly capped over the summer by England – Will Chudley and fellow Chiefs academy product Stu Townsend face a four-way battle for a starting spot ahead of Friday’s opener at Gloucester.
However, Maunder, dubbed a ‘cheeky little bugger’ by England boss Eddie Jones after his shock inclusion for the tour of Argentina, is fully embracing the challenge.
Maunder told The Rugby Paper: “It’s very, very competitive but I think that’s going to be good for all of us because in every training session and each specific nines’ session, nobody is going to want to lose out to each other and that will only help the team, which we want.
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