Perfect start in Europe delights Baxter
By Mark Stevens
24/11/19
Rob Baxter believes the growing maturity within his Exeter Chiefs squad can be a decisive factor in his side finally delivering on the European stage.
The Devonians maintained their perfect start to life in Pool Two of this season’s Heineken Champions Cup, defeating visiting Glasgow Warriors 34-18 at Sandy Park.
A week after inflicting a first home defeat on French side La Rochelle, the Chiefs were equally impressive against the visiting Scotsmen, who had led 13-10 at the break thanks to a converted Nick Grigg try and two penalties from fly-half Adam Hastings.
The second period, though, belonged to the Chiefs who having scored in the first 40 through Jonny Hill, added further tries through Henry Slade, Sam Simmonds and Tom O’Flaherty.
Fly-half Joe Simmonds maintained his brilliant kicking record this season with a 14-point haul, before Glasgow claimed a late consolation score through replacement George Turner.
By then, the Chiefs were already home and dry, much to the delight of their Director of Rugby, who was quick to praise their efforts at the final whistle.
“We actually had to fight today and show a lot of our good qualities,” said Baxter. “Glasgow are a side who like to play a bit of rugby – and they showed that in the first half – but what we did after the break was pretty much what we had talked about all week, which was to create a difficult and pressurised environment for Glasgow to deal with.
“We didn’t do it so well in the first half, but I thought we did it exceptionally well in the second half.”
Indeed, the visitors were strangled into submission after the break by a highly effective game plan from the Chiefs, which saw them pin their rivals back at every opportunity.
“Our set-piece really started to grow in the second half,” added Baxter. “Our forwards created the second half I was kind of hoping for. Yes, it took us a while to do that, but that is probably me being a bit over ambitious in a way because what any quality game of rugby needs is a bit of attrition and a bit of ware.
“Not many teams buckle early, but we grew today and it’s given us a fantastic foothold in the competition.”
The Chiefs will have a week’s break from European action now – this Saturday they entertain Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership – after which they will then tackle rivals Sale Sharks in the annual December double-header.
Baxter acknowledges his side are in a great position after the opening two rounds, but insists the hard work must continue if they are to prosper further down the line in Europe.
Asked if his side had made a statement of intent for this season, Baxter replied: “It’s not that different a message to what we have been sending for a few years now. A couple of years ago we won our first two pool games, so we’ve done it before, but the important thing is I think we are growing in stature and growing in maturity as a side.
“The players who have been our front-end performers us are now getting into their mid-20s – and now they have that little bit more experience, that bit more game understanding, which is what you need at this level to be successful.
“I think what you saw today was some real quality from those front-end players. Sladey was exceptional, Nic White was very good, Joe Simmonds grew as the game went on and Sam Simmonds was also very good. Some of those frontline, international quality players really stood up and that is what you need in the Heineken Cup. Obviously, everyone else underpinned that with some real solidity, particularly in the second half.”
It was, however, the display of Jack Nowell – on his first start of the season – which was the talk of many at the final whistle. The England and British Lions winger has had to endure a tough few months, what with two final disappointments and a catalogue of untimely injuries, but he was scintillating in this fixture.
“What is fantastic is that I know he’s still not anywhere near 100% fit,” said Baxter. “That’s not to say he’s not fit to play, but his ankle is going to take a bit of time and intensive treatment to get back to 100%.
“He’s out there, though, and there was one moment he created for Sladey’s try, which was as close to world class as you can ask for. He’s got no space, but all of a sudden he appears out the other side of three or found defenders and makes a good pass for him to score. I don’t think you would see another player in England do that.”
The only downside on the day for the Chiefs was the sight of skipper Jack Yeandle coming off just before half-time with an arm injury. Baxter said it was too early to say how serious the injury was, but that the player would undergo an X-ray shortly to determine the extent of the problem.