CHIEFS RELISH FRENCH TEST

ROB BAXTER claims a mouthwatering trip to France in the Champions Cup last four holds no fear for his buoyant Exeter Chiefs.

On the contrary, the director of rugby claims the men from Devon will relish and “enjoy” the prospect of trying to upset the European champions in Bordeaux.

La Rochelle stand between Chiefs and another major final after they beat Saracens yesterday.

They, and Leinster, who host Toulouse in the other semi-final, are the bookies’ firm favourites to lift the trophy.

Chiefs are the outsiders of the four sides left to battle it out on the final weekend of April.

But Baxter, whose side produced their best performance of the season to thrash South Africa’s Stormers 42-17 on Saturday, said: “We like an away weekend in France.

“Indeed, the players will love it over there. We will have a great experience and make sure we get everything right in terms of building up for the occasion emotionally.

”We’ve turned up in France on big days before and performed extremely well.”

Chiefs have had a disappointing domestic campaign – which has left them fearing missing out on a top-four Premiership place.

But they have certainly hit their straps in Europe.

Baxter said: “It was a massive emotional game against Stormers which we got right.

“You don’t get to the European Cup semi-final if everything is wrong.

“We are not broken. We have the DNA within us which will bring us through a lot of challenges.”

Scotland lock Jonny Gray hopes Chiefs can lift the trophy a second time to give the posse of top, loyal stars the perfect send-off.

Jack Nowell, Joe and Sam Simmonds (above), who scored Exeter’s fourth try, plus Dave Ewers and Harry Williams are among those departing Sandy Park for pastures new this summer.

Gray said: “There are guys who have been here a long time, real stalwarts, and we want to make the remainder of the season very special for them.

“Getting to the semi-finals of this competition is a huge achievement but we know we can play better.”