Former Gloucester, Leeds, Worcester and Scarlets’ scrum-half Clive Stuart-Smith returns to Twickenham with new side Exeter this weekend to take on Northampton Saints. He spoke to www.rucked.com…
How’s the season been treating you?
It’s been very good, it’s been a very good and solid season, although we are a little disappointed not to be more in contention for promotion. We’ve got a final this weekend though which we’re massively looking forward to, it’d be nice to pick up some silverware but we’re going to be massive underdogs to Northampton – they haven’t been beaten all season.
There was a bit of inevitability about Northampton’s promotion though…
There was, they’re an established side. When they came down to the first division they were expected to go straight back up just as was the case with Quins. They did have a lot of close games though, maybe if those games gone the other things could’ve been different – Newbury were only beaten by a point and a lot of sides did challenge them, but their quality shone through. Nobody was expected to get close to them.
Exeter seemed close at one stage…
We were at one point, we were close until they played at our place. By then they’d wrapped up lots of bonus points but as soon as they beat us, they took that eight point advantage and built upon it. They did get better throughout the season though.
How have you found National One?
On a personal level I’ve played lot of games, I’ve managed to put together a run of games and I’ve been happy with my performance levels – that’s been a big positive. I’m still a bit disappointed about our title challenge and by a few sloppy losses – away to Pirates, Newbury, Nottingham and Bedford. These were wins that were well within our grasp but we weren’t quite there on the day, but we’re on a massive learning curve. Next year we can afford to slip-up though.
Was promotion realistic this year?
Yes it was, we had aspirations to get promoted this year. We definitely wanted to be the top side in south west, but if we’re honest when we realised Northampton were as good as promoted, we did change our goal to finishing second.
What was the main reason behind your move from Scarlets?
It was the possibility of game time. When I was at Scarlets and at other clubs, for one reason or another, I never really had a fair crack at it. I was behind Dwayne Peel at Scarlets – that speaks for itself. Looking back at the year it’s really been a fantastic move because the number nines behind Dwayne haven’t played. This year has been great because it’s given me a foot in the door and they also view me here in more of a leadership role…
Your time with Scarlets did at least get you into the Saxons…
It did, that’s the advantage of playing at that level and being involved in a squad like the Scarlets. Just being involved in a Premiership club week-in, week-out means you get noticed – even if it’s just coming off the bench. Every club has two or three number nines and they mix it up. Look at London Irish where they’ve got Paul Hodgson and Peter Richards…
You’re only 24, yet it seems like you’ve been around forever…
People often say that and then when they meet me they think I’m about 17! It can be frustrating when you’ve been around for a long time because you see guys who were once on the fringes that you played at in age group now getting a shot at the Premiership. That’s what I’m working towards now though, the Premiership, and hopefully that will be with Exeter next year. I know I can cope with it, I don’t feel out of my depth and I’ve got a burning desire to get back there.
Do you regret any of your moves?
Hindsight is wonderful thing and perhaps I shouldn’t have left Gloucester, even though it was frustrating being on the bench behind Andy Gomarsall and not playing at all. Maybe I should’ve stayed there? Maybe I should’ve stayed at Leeds? The guys who are coming through now are those that have, more or less, stayed at the same club. I can’t look back though, I do that and start to regret things it would be a negative thing and I’m a positive person.
Was your time at Worcester the lowest point?
That was the lowest point of my career because I never had a shot at it. A lot of people ask me why and I don’t know, there are reasons I don’t want to go into but I just felt I never had a chance, I didn’t even start a game in pre-season. Things like that are frustrating but they’re also a massive driving force for me, I want to prove those people wrong.
How much potential is there at Exeter?
There’s a huge amount of potential. It’s been a tough year because of the way we’re trying to play and evolving takes time, but we’ve got the stepping stones in place now and we just need to hit the ground running next season. The squad is great – we’ve got some fantastic athletes and some fantastic ball players and we’ve got a huge blend of youth and experience throughout. The one thing we need to do is become better at performing under pressure. We can’t afford to lose to mediocre and top sides next season because there will be a lot of teams fancying promotion.
Because Leeds are likely to be relegated?
Yeah, Leeds have never really established themselves in the Premiership, they’ve always struggled. And when they were last down in this league they weren’t unbeaten and it was a close-run thing until the last few games. You know that if a side like Harlequins or Newcastle came down, as long as they kept their players, they would go straight back up, but next season the league will be open and up for grabs.
Are Exeter ready for the Premiership?
Oh yeah without doubt, the facilities are fantastic, the support is great – everything is in place for the Premiership. When people turn up here they get the feeling that this is a big place, a Premiership place. We’ve got a new stand going up soon and it’s all well within our grasp. Next season we just have to be on top form every single week.
There’s been talk of some big names coming to Sandy Park, any news?
We’ve signed a ten, a backrow and, yeah, there are whispers, but I can’t say too much. Basically we’re going for good strength in depth across the board rather than just two or three superstars.
So, if you get to the Premiership, next stop is England…
I think when I was really young I wrote on my wall that I wanted to play consistently in the Premiership. Underneath that I put that my goal was to be involved with England – the same holds true for me now. All I’ve ever wanted to do is have at playing in Premiership when my fate is in my hands and not when there’s an international number nine in front of you with 40 caps and all I’m doing is warming the bench.