Chiefs fear Saints could use lack of props to pressure ref SCRUM OFF IT
30pt Inter Blk Cond
EXETER have accused Northampton of exaggerating their prop problems in the hope the two clubs’ European quarterfinal will revert to uncontested scrums on safety grounds.
With the Saints down to one fit loose- head – teenager Manny Iyogun – Exeter agreed to a temporary rule relaxation by the tournament organisers to allow Gloucester’s Alex Seville to join on loan yesterday.
But director of rugby Rob Baxter labelled Northampton’s public hand- wringing over the issue as “odd” and hinted it could be a way of swaying referee Matthew Carley ahead of Sunday’s all- Premiership clash.
The scrum is one of Exeter’s strong points and under no circumstances do they want it de- powering.
“We certainly made it clear to Northampton, when they contacted us, that if the EPCR asked for any kind of rule which would allow them to register an extra player, we would agree with that and support it which we have done,” said Baxter, right. “But it is interesting listening to some of the comments coming Northampton.
“I think some of it is a little bit of mind games if I am honest and a scenario that potentially isn’t really there when you look at what clubs have been en doing in the games anyway. y.
“The easy example ple is Alfie Petch who is 20 and came off the e bench against t Northampton for us just a couple of weeks ago. He did fine.
“Alfie had not played yed one minute of Premiership rugby before that moment. They all have to start at some stage.”
Northampton director of rugby Chris Boyd suggested that former England prop Dan Cole was “being kind” to Iyogun when he came off the bench in Saints’ win at Leicester last weekend. “That’s out of exactly the kind of comment I am talking about. What does that mean? That Northampton will go to uncontested scrums if they don’t like the way the scrum is going? They won’t go to uncontest uncontested scrums if we don’t push? It is just a wei weird comment all ro round,” said Baxter.
“Ultimately the only reason you should go to u uncontested scrums is for injured players. So what are they sayi saying? I don’t quite unders understand.
“It is b bit of a throwaway comment at this stage in the week that for pretty obvious reasons is trying to create some kind of influence on a situation. We are very aware of it.
“The reality is that is Heineken Cup quarter- final, it not a pre- season friendly.
“There will be advantages in the game somewhere for Northampton, which they will want to exploit and there will be advantages on the field somewhere for Exeter and it is our job to exploit those. That’s what rugby is about. That’s how you win games of rugby.” a is