Josh Hodge stars as Exeter Chiefs look to redefine their identity in the Premiership Rugby Cup

Exeter Chiefs are using the Premiership Rugby Cup to rediscover and refine their identity as a rugby club, scrum coach Ross McMillian said following the club’s 54-3 win over Hartpury on Saturday.

Exeter Chiefs’ kicking full-back Josh Hodge recorded a 24-point haul as a strong Exeter Chiefs side secured another high-scoring win over the Championship side in the second pool stage game of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

The final scoreline rather flatters Chiefs with Hartpury a better side than their three points from the boot of fly-half Harry Bazalgette would suggest.

But Exeter, who fielded an unashamedly strong side in the development competition as they look top build confidence after a winless start in the league, ran in eight tries at Sandy Park, with number eight Greg Fisilau touching down a hat-trick having been called up for England A in the week, while Hodge crossed for a brace and there were scores from Dan Frost, Will Rigg and Harvey Skinner.

The win, alongside the 68-7 win away at Pirates last weekend puts the Premiership side in the driving seat in Pool E with a trip to Gloucester, who have also won their first two games in the cup competition, up next.

McMillian said: “I thought the boys went out and showed what it is we want to put out there as the brand of rugby we want to play. That allows us to take a step forward into what's going to be a great couple of months post-Gloucester.”

Chiefs have drawn some criticism for essentially fielding their first team through the first two rounds of the cup competition, which traditionally has been used as a development tool, but after six straight defeats in the Premiership to start the season, McMillian was clear the club must use the cup to pick up some momentum heading into the second significant block of league and Champions Cup games which starts away at league leaders Bath.

He said: “I think you use every opportunity you can within a season. With everything that's been going off, it's been great for us to go, ‘What is it that we're looking for and the identity around that?’ I think we're starting to show that and we took a step forward in that. That's been really exciting for the coaches as well as the players, and hopefully today we gave that excitement for the fans as well.”

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Ben Hammersley, 13 Will Rigg, 12 Tamati Tua, 11 Tommy Wyatt, 10 Will Haydon-Wood, 9 Will Becconsall; 1 Will Goodrick-Clarke, 2 Dan Frost, 3 Ehren Painter, 4 Rusi Tuima, 5 Richard Capstick, 6 Ethan Roots, 7 Jacques Vermeulen (c), 8 Greg Fisilau.

Replacements: 16 Jack Innard, 17 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 18 Jimmy Roots, 19 Lewis Pearson, 20 Martin Moloney, 21 Stu Townsend, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Paul Brown-Bampoe.

Hartpury RFC: 15. Alex Morgan, 14. Ollie Holiday , 13. Josiah Edwards-Giraud, 12. Robbie Smith, 11. Brad Denty, 10. Harry Bazalgette; 9. Matty Jones; 1. Harry Edwards, 2. Will Crane (c), 3. Ollie Minnis, 4. Cam Cobbett, 5. Jack Davies, 6. Sam Lewis, 7. Harry Short, 8. Jarrard Hayler

Replacements: 16. Ethan Hunt, 17. James Gibbons, 18. Michael Fankah, 19. Carn Richards-Farr, 20. Ellis Hart, 21. Mike Austin, 22. Kyle McGhie, 23. Jack Johnson