Baxter wants artificial pitches scrapped despite tights ruling

Rob Baxter, the Exeter Chiefs director of rugby, says fewer artificial pitches would be a better solution to grazes and burns suffered by Premiership players than allowing them to wear tights.

World Rugby announced on Tuesday that it had amended law four with immediate effect, making it permissible for men and women to wear tights or leggings in games.

But Baxter countered that by questioning the need for four Premiership clubs – Gloucester, Newcastle, Saracens and Worcester – to use artificial surfaces, which have come in for criticism from players such as Jack Nowell and Joe Marler.

“I don’t like them,” he said. “If other sports and other clubs can [play on grass pitches] to a relatively low level, why would a group of 12 or 13 clubs not be able to put a grass surface in and maintain it?

“I think there should be an ability for 12 or 13 clubs to maintain a good grass facility or uniform facility that we all agree to or buy into. Whether introducing these leggings or tights will create a bit more player comfort on artificial surfaces I’m not sure. We would have to see. I do know for a fact that one of the things that does irritate players are the burns.”

Baxter refused to be drawn on the statement released by Wasps on Tuesday about Chiefs supporters wearing Native American headdresses ahead of his team’s visit to the Coventry Building Society Arena this weekend. Wasps stopped short of issuing a ban, but have asked Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Football Union to take action.

“I think most people’s view is the same as mine,” Baxter added. “Where we are as a country and the things we’ve been through, I think there are far more important things that I, the club and people in general need to focus on beyond whether a supporter supporting a club in Devon is going to wear a headdress or not.”