Chiefs side to face Tigers
By Mark Stevens
4/12/20
They say statistics can be construed in many ways.
Well, if the figures coming out of Exeter Chiefs after two rounds of their Gallagher Premiership title defence are anything to go by, then Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, has plenty of reasons to be cheerful.
Not only have his players produced two victories, but bonus point wins against Harlequins (33-3) and Bath (40-3) have given the Chiefs the perfect start to the 2020/21 campaign.
Having scored 73 points and conceded just six, the 11 tries scored, seven of which have been bagged by different players, underlines the way in which the Devonians are already setting their stall out.
It’s been impressive stuff from the Chiefs and its little wonder their off-leader has been quick to praise the contributions of those involved.
“We’ve had a fantastic start and great credit has to go to the players,” said Baxter. “They have followed up the great form of last season; they’ve stuck closely to what we want to do - had a real understanding of what we want to do, where we want to do it and how we want to do it - all of which has come with a bit of a changed up side, because we are missing quite a few of what you’d deem the 23 that finished last season.
“As I said, great credit has to go to all of them that have come in and perform, but now we have to get ready to face a different challenge again [in Leicester Tigers] this weekend.
“You can already see there is something a bit different about them this season. We saw that in Round One, where they had a definite intensity in their performance that outshone Gloucester, and we saw it again last weekend against London Irish. Looking at that performance, they will probably feel a little unfortunate that they didn’t convert more of their pressure, but moving forward all of that will hold them in good stead for the rest of the season.
“They will know that if they can maintain that level of intensity this weekend, there could well be something in the game for them. That’s why, from our perspective, we have to make sure that our mindset is spot on and that we’re willing to work incredibly hard for one another. I know I say it every week, but that is the beauty of sport at this level, you’ve got to make sure you turn up and give it everything.”
Having lost just once in their last nine top-flight meetings with the Tigers, the Chiefs will head into tomorrow’s tussle at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (3pm) with plenty of confidence about them.
However, Baxter is wary of the home threat and the work put in by opposite number Steve Borthwick, who he feels is starting to really stamp his mark on his side’s style of play.
“You can definitely see a change,” said Baxter. “It’s perhaps not quite moulded just yet, but that’s the worry when you come up against a side like that, perhaps this could be the game where things really start to click. Last season up there, Leicester really came out of the blocks, got points up, and we had to really knuckle down to come back. That’s obviously something we will try to avoid this time, but that can only be done by turning up and working hard.
“There is no magic formula that just allows you to turn up and win. We know what it takes to produce our performances - and we have the game plan there to do well up there. Ali [Hepher] and Rob [Hunter] are tweaking things all the time, but we know what we want to do and what is needed to do that.”
As the statistics have proved, Exeter’s attacking arsenal looks in fine fettle with last season’s European Player of the Year, Sam Simmonds, leading the way already with five tries in just two games.
His dynamic displays have seen him boss the headlines, along with Tom O’Flaherty’s wonder try against Bath, but it’s the defensive resolve of his side that is equally pleasing for Baxter heading into the final league fixture before next week’s start of the Heineken Champions Cup defence.
“Every coach knows this, but there is no bigger attitude marker than defence,” explained Baxter. “Being prepared to fight anywhere on the field, whether it be in attack or defence, is what it’s all about. Having a marker in terms of what a team are willing to give both physically and emotionally is fantastic.
“Right now, a lot of points are being conceded in the division, so to only have let in six in two games, that’s a great achievement. Obviously, we know we can’t expect that all the time, but if you keep things tight, it not only keeps the pressure off you, but it puts pressure on the opposition. And that’s something we are highlighting to the guys all the time.”
With Baxter expected to welcome back a glut of international stars ahead of next weekend’s European opener against Glasgow Warriors, this weekend’s game offers another huge opportunity for others within his squad to continue to impress.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve been really impressed with how the guys have been performing,” continued Baxter. “Don Armand stepping up into the second-row, he’s been fantastic. The back-row trio, even with Jacques Vermeulen out injured, have done very well and look a good unit. We’ve got Stu Townsend coming back into the squad after injury, Facu [Cordero] has dropped in at 15 and really taken his opportunity.
“Others too are performing fantastically well, people like Jack Yeandle who is showing how much of a quality player he is and how much of a great asset to the club he is. With Nowellsy out, Olly Woodburn and Tom O’Flaherty have formed a key partnership on the wings. Guys like Jack Walsh, Harvey Skinner, Jack Innard, Tom Hendrickson, they are all getting minutes under their belts. Marcus Street, I thought, has been fantastic these past two weeks and really added something coming off the bench.
“I could single out pretty much every player, because they are all working hard and doing their bit for the team. The key for us, however, is making sure we don’t take anything for granted and that means turning up at Leicester at the weekend and be willing to give everything once again.”
Team news for the Chiefs sees Baxter recall Will Witty into the starting line-up after Sam Skinner was recalled back to international duty with Scotland. Witty is the sole change up front, while behind Stu Townsend gets his first start of the season at scrum-half, while a shin injury to Woodburn means Ian Whitten shunts to the wing with Hendrickson coming into the centre alongside Ollie Devoto.
On the bench, James Kenny, Tom Price and Josh Hodge are all added to the side which saw off Bath last time out.
EXETER CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE LEICESTER TIGERS
15 Facundo Cordero
14 Ian Whitten
13 Tom Hendrickson
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Tom O’Flaherty
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Stu Townsend
1 Ben Moon
2 Jack Yeandle (capt)
3 Harry Williams
4 Will Witty
5 Don Armand
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jannes Kirsten
8 Sam Simmonds
16 Jack Innard
17 James Kenny
18 Marcus Street
19 Tom Price
20 Richard Capstick
21 Jack Maunder
22 Jack Walsh
23 Josh Hodge