Match Reaction - Rob Baxter
By Mark Stevens
24/4/22
Rob Baxter still has every hope his Exeter Chiefs side will reach the Gallagher Premiership play-offs this season, even though they came unstuck at Saracens 38-22.
A dominant second half display from the Londoners proved pivotal as they overturned a 15-10 half time deficit to claim all five points at the StoneX Stadium.
The Chiefs claimed tries from Sam Skinner, Olly Woodburn and Stu Townsend on the day, but it was never enough to halt Saracens, who were indebted to an 18-point haul from skipper Owen Farrell, alongside scores from Elliot Daly, Sean Maitland, Nick Tompkins and Ben Earl.
The loss means Baxter’s side sit fifth in the standings, a point adrift of next best Northampton Saints, but having played a game more.
With the Chiefs inactive this week because of their bye week, the picture could change even further before their next clash away to Bristol Bears next month.
Baxter said: “I think we will know exactly where we stand after next week’s round, which is our bye week, and it would not surprise me at all if two wins saw us through to fourth spot.
“We are far from saying it is going to be an experimental two games [against Bristol and Harlequins], as far as I am concerned we will know where we stand after next week and we’ll go after two victories.
“It will be interesting, but as a group we need to use this next week or so to reset ourselves, then get ready to get the hard work done.”
Certainly, the Devonians showed plenty of fight against Saracens, but a hefty penalty count came back to bite them, even if some of the calls seemed somewhat harsh.
“I just said to the lads, it was a funny old game in a lot of ways,” added Baxter. “If I’m being honest, I don’t think we’ve ever caused Saracens that many issues attacking-wise up here before. That said, if you are an Exeter supporter, you’re probably frustrated that we didn’t convert more of those opportunities.
“Yes, we need to convert more, we know that. Equally, what we got wrong was we kind of dropped into conceding that soft, non-competitive penalty scenario very quickly and then dented us somewhat.
“There were times, though, where I thought ‘Here We Go’ and we started to build some pressure - and I don’t mind us scoring when it’s like that - but then we coughed up one of those penalties. I did think the penalty county was extreme and it flipped after half time, which was interesting, but that’s something I will need to look at afterwards.
“Already I’ve had another Director of Rugby message me saying he could not believe some of the conversations that were going on at times on the pitch. I obviously need to sit and watch the TV commentary myself to see what was going on, but something quite significant seems to have happened during the game, so it will be interesting to see what it is”
Penalties aside, the Chiefs must now ready themselves for their Westcountry derby with Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate on May 20.