Exeter winger Campbell Ridl has been described as a “huge talent” after his Prem Rugby Cup hat-trick at Bristol.
The 21-year-old has broken into the Exeter fold in the past three months, scoring a try on his home league debut against Leicester in December.
He has notched six tries this season – four of them in the past two games in the cup – as he tries to force his way into the Chiefs’ first team.
“He’s making great progress,” Exeter defence coach Haydn Thomas told BBC Radio Devon after the 46-35 win at Ashton Gate.
“He’s a huge talent, he’s still got a long way to go, but he’s great on the ball, he’s good in his kick chase and he’s just a pleasure to work with.
“The only way to learn sometimes is actually go and get exposure and I think the nice thing about this Prem Cup is getting good exposure.
“He’s played Prem games and been excellent for us in those too. It’s just nice that you know he’s getting those opportunities this year because he’s earned them.”
Ridl’s breakthrough into the first team has not been totally smooth.
He missed the start of this season with a broken hand and was banned for two matches last month after mistiming a jump for a high ball and taking out Bath’s Henry Arundell.
“I’m very pleased where I am right now,” Ridl told BBC Radio Devon.
“I think everything just goes up for me, so I’m really happy and just keen to keep growing and growing and getting better and better.
“It was a tough decision,” he added of his ban. “But I think I just need to be more aware.
“I was watching the ball too much, not watching the player. I’ve been working on it quite a lot now so hopefully that wouldn’t happen again.”
Ridl is part of a competitive area of the Exeter squad as he competes with England winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, England ‘A’ winger Paul Brown-Bampoe and veteran Olly Woodburn for a place out wide.
Should the hamstring injury Feyi-Waboso suffered while with England not heal in time for the return of Prem action next month, Ridl could be in line to add to the three league starts he had before his ban.
Ridl says director of rugby Rob Baxter is keeping a close eye on his progress as Exeter aim to bring through another impressive winger from their ranks.
“He says I need to put on some more weight, get a bit more bulkier, but he’s really impressed with where I’ve come from now,” Ridl added.
“His main thing is just keep working hard, play every game like it’s your last.
“So I think that’s one point that we all have in our minds the whole time and it makes us really play well.”
