‘All or nothing’ now in quest for Euro glory, says Baxter

ROB Baxter says it is “all or nothing” as Exeter enter the knockout phase in their defence of the Heineken Champions Cup.

Exeter host Lyon today in the competition’s inaugural round of 16.

The tournament’s pool stage was halted in January due to the coronavirus pandemic, and now recommences with a last-16, followed by quarter-finals next weekend.

“It is all or nothing now. It’s knockout rugby from here on in,” Exeter rugby director Baxter said.

“Yes, it (knockout stage) has come a bit earlier than normal, but this is the kind of challenge you expect to face when you are in the Heineken Champions Cup.

“For us, we see this as a very exciting challenge and one to really go after. These are the kind of games you play rugby for – you want to be on the biggest stages, playing against the best teams.”

Baxter welcomes back England trio Henry Slade, Luke Cowan-dickie and Jonny Hill, in addition to Scotland skipper Stuart Hogg and Hogg’s Test team-mate Jonny Gray.

Four-time European champions Toulouse, meanwhile, meet Munster in Limerick today, with the winners facing an away quarter-final against Wasps or Clermont next weekend.

Tomorrow, runaway Premiership leaders Bristol visit Bordeauxbegles, while Sale will target a first quarter-final appearance for 15 years when they head to Llanelli to face a Scarlets team boosted by returning Wales Guinness Six Nations winners Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Gareth Davies and Ken Owens.

Last season’s runners-up Racing 92 host Edinburgh.