Chiefs side to face Wasps
By Mark Stevens
3/10/20
Whilst seasonal objectives to date have been signed, sealed and delivered for the Exeter Chiefs, Director of Rugby, Rob Baxter, insists there can be no let-up from his squad as they target a massive final month of the season.
Having already secured top spot in the Gallagher Premiership, home advantage in next week’s play-offs, plus a first-ever Heineken Champions Cup final date with Racing 92, some may feel tomorrow’s Round 22 trip to Wasps is nothing more than a fulfilment of fixtures for the Devonians.
Baxter, however, is not of that mind-set and ahead of his side’s trip to the Ricoh Arena, he has challenged those selected for this final-day tussle to prove their worth.
“Like I said before the London Irish game in midweek, I can’t re-iterate enough how important every Premiership game of rugby is,” he said. “And by that I mean, I can’t re-iterate how important it is for those players who take to the field on Sunday to go out, play well and show certain qualities.
“For the young players, it’s a huge opportunity for them to show they are learning and they are improving with every minute they get at this level. What I want to see from them is that they are able to take on lessons, learn as they go along and, ultimately, develop as a play a player.”
Since rugby restarted last month, the Chiefs have used no fewer than 54 different players - and that figure could rise by three - should certain people appear off the bench tomorrow.
Like all top-flight clubs, the Chiefs have had to adhere to certain rules and regulations over game time and player management, but Baxter insists the tactics he has employed are also with one eye on next season, where he expects to be shorn of a number of frontline stars due to international call-ups.
“That is the key with all the different selections,” explained Baxter. “What you will see with the Wasps game, similarly to the London Irish game, is that we want to be a better squad a better club from playing the game. We may not get the result we want, but at the same time, you can’t expect results unless you are picking from a full-strength side.
“There is a reality that we have to get better, not just as a club, but also as a squad. What we are gaining from playing the game and making the selections we are, that is the key thing for me moving forward.
“What we have to do is drive this group of players and see what they can take out from the game because, without doubt, when you look at the international calendar for next season, there is a lot of these guys who are going to be playing next season and I want them to be better players than they are now. That will happen through playing games, but it will also happen from training regularly, reviews, and gleaning that experience - and that only happens from what they do on Sunday.”
Standing in the way of the Chiefs will be a Wasps outfit, who lie second in the standings, but who enter into this final week as one of four clubs chasing three final play-off placings.
“Wasps are flying and they are one of the in-form sides in the division at the moment,” warned Baxter. “They are in the top four and they are also in that unique position of being second with one game to go, yet they are not guaranteed a top four place. That means they will come out all guns blazing, so we have to be ready to meet that challenge head on.
“As for ourselves, we have a home semi-final to play next week, then a European final as well, but we have to make sure we get everything right in our preparations for those games - and Sunday’s game will be a big part of that.
“At the moment we have a lot on our plates, but I think we are dealing with most things successfully. I may have been a bit critical of our lads after the Irish game, but at the end of the day we lost a Premiership game by three points, at a time when we have confirmed top spot in the Premiership, got ourselves a home semi-final and we’re in a European final as well. As a squad, I think we are doing really well.
“For those guys who have played recently when we’ve lost games, they not let us down as a club in any way. They’ve performed well and they have been part of that whole group who have done the prep, every day, every week, to put us where we are. Now, I’d like them to be a bit more selfish in themselves and really go out on Sunday and show some really good outcomes for themselves.”
Team news for the visitors see Academy starlets James Kenny, Charlie Wright and Sam Maunder all come in for their first-ever Premiership starts. Also in from the outset is experienced Aussie international Dave Dennis, as well as Wales and British Lions winger Alex Cuthbert.
On the bench, Danny Southworth and Lewis Pearson get their first taste of being in a Premiership squad, whilst there is a welcome return to the fold for winger James Short.
CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE WASPS
15 Phil Dollman
14 Tom Wyatt
13 Corey Baldwin
12 Tom Hendrickson
11 Alex Cuthbert
10 Harvey Skinner
9 Sam Maunder
1 James Kenny
2 Jack Innard
3 Marcus Street
4 Will Witty
5 Dave Dennis
6 Richard Capstick
7 Don Armand (capt)
8 Charlie Wright
16 Elvis Taione
17 Danny Southworth
18 Alfie Petch
19 Tom Price
20 Lewis Pearson
21 Stu Townsend
22 Jack Walsh
23 James Short