Chiefs side to face Worcester Warriors
By Mark Stevens
11/3/22
Rob Baxter says he’s ready to oversee the birth of a ‘new Exeter’ as the Chiefs look to further establish themselves as a major force within the English and European game.
His comments come in the wake of supporters and pundits suggesting his side are ‘back to their old selves’ having won their last four games in the Gallagher Premiership.
The most recent of those successes was last Sunday against Sale Sharks, where the Devonians produced a powerful display - particularly in the first half - to secure a 19-12 victory at Sandy Park.
That win ensured the Chiefs - who have played in the last five Premiership finals – are keeping pace with the divisional frontrunners as the season heads towards its final furlongs.
“People said we are looking like our old selves, but we’re not looking like that, instead we’re starting to feel like a new Exeter,” said the Chiefs Director of Rugby this week. “Let’s not think about being like the old Exeter or focus too much on what has happened in the past.
“Instead, let’s focus on what we want to achieve, what our next dream is, and look at those ambitions, both individually and collectively, that we can go after. I think what we’re seeing right now is a group who are going out there and grabbing all those things. That for me, feels like a huge strength and we’ve seen that in our performances over these last four to five weeks. Looking at the group, you can see they are enjoying training, they are enjoying playing, and they are enjoying achieving things together.”
Now Baxter wants more of the same tomorrow when his side make the trip to bottom club Worcester Warriors in Round 20 of the Premiership at Sixways (2.30pm).
It’s the last fixture in this current block of top-flight matches, after which the Chiefs will swap back into the Premiership Rugby Cup, ironically against the Warriors at Sandy Park in a week’s time.
For now, though, Baxter has told those on duty this weekend to maintain their impressive form as they look to stay within the play-off picture.
“This group are hitting physical stats that we’ve seen from what I’d call our full group for quite some time,” added Baxter. “That in itself shows a real enthusiasm to get out there, work hard and throw everything you can at it. For me, that is the most enjoyable thing, even more enjoyable than the results. Those stats underline just how hard we have been prepared to work - and when you see stats showing guys working at their absolute peak, you know it means something and that you can be successful moving forward.”
Past experience, however, tells Baxter that his side will need to be at their best against a Warriors outfit, who are much improved under the stewardship of Steve Diamond, who took charge of the club in late January.
“I think Steve is challenging them in different ways and that’s a process that makes them difficult opponents,” warned Baxter. “Over the years we’ve played a lot of games against them and had some real battles, especially up at their place. The biggest danger for us is that they stand there, put up a fight, and we then get frustrated ourselves.
“What we have to do is stick at our processes, similar to what we did at Newcastle a few weeks ago, stay in the fight, and make sure we come through how we want to. I’ve already said to the lads this week - and I will repeat the message right up until kick-off - is that we have to be prepared to really empty the tank this weekend.
“This weekend is a stop point in what has been a big block of games for us, but I don’t want us to think that just because we’re now in the top four, the pressure to perform and to pick up points is off, because it’s not! If we think like that, that’s when you’ll get a real slap in the face.”
And such has been the impressive form of the Chiefs of late, Baxter has even hinted that some of his more established names will find it tough to break back into the club ranks.
“I don’t mind saying, it’s going to be a big challenge for those international players returning,” he continued. “As I said, the ways this group have been performing, both in training and in games, it’s been fantastic. Obviously, we had the Scottish lads come back into the side last week - and they were great - adding a real energy and vibrancy, but they’ll need to do that again after the Six Nations, as will the England boys.”
With Scottish duo Stuart Hogg and Sam Skinner back on Test duty in Italy, they are replaced in the starting line-up by Josh Hodge and Don Armand respectively. The other changes see Jack Innard and Harry Williams come into the front-row, while Santiago Grondona gets the nod at No.8 ahead of Richard Capstick.
