Western Morning News (Saturday)
Baxter’s men taking nothing for granted
EXETER Chiefs’ director of rugby Rob Baxter says his team will show Worcester maximum respect when they return to Premiership action today.
The Warriors are cut adrift at the foot of the Premiership table and head to Sandy Park with just three wins from their 17 league games so far this season.
It is a far different story for the Chiefs, who were 20-12 winners at league leaders Bristol, last time out. But as Baxter knows, no game is easy and Worcester have certainly caused Exeter problems in the past.
“I know where they are in the league but, historically, I can’t remember us every having an easy game against Worcester,” he said. “So many games between us feel like they are one-score games and it wasn’t that long ago that they came here and beat us, in a close, low-scoring game.
“They are always very tough opponents when we play them which means hopefully we will give them the respect they deserve and we will go out there to play our best game because that’s how you show respect to people – by going out to play your absolute best game.
“We are looking pretty good. We are picking up the odd bumps and bruises, but Dave Ewers is back in training, which is good. But there is nothing serious form the Bristol game, which is good news.”
It will be 15 days from that excellent win at Bristol to their home clash with Worcester and the prolonged break can do no harm to Baxter’s squad as they look for a Twickenham return and the chance to retain the Premiership title that they won against Wasps last year.
There are just five games remaining and while they are eight points adrift of top spot, securing second place is imperative, if they are to have home advantage in the semifinals.
Exeter will be odds-on favourites to clinch that spot, but Baxter is taking nothing for granted, admitting he sees fear all around Exeter in that chase for a top four place.
“It’s a fight but it is a fight between more than ourselves and Bristol, that’s for certain,” he said. “I look at the table and I see fear all around, which isn’t always a bad thing.
“When you look at how close Sale and Harlequins are to us and the chasing pack, with Northampton and London Irish closing in, then you have to say there is pressure all around us.
“It’s been pretty full on for us for quite a long time now. Obviously we played until quite late into the day last season and we had the shortest pre-season we have ever had and played pretty much every weekend since then.
“That part of it, it is disappointing to have not had a game, but to have last week off gave us the chance to properly refresh and get away from rugby and that can be a good thing.
“We have had a good training week now, as most coaches would say, and the guys look energetic and ready to get on with things.” Dave Ewers, missing for the game at Bristol Bears, return from his calf injury to take his place at blindside flanker. Other changes up front see Alec Hepburn return in the frontrow, while Sam Skinner is shunted back into the second-row with Jonny Hill, this week confirmed as one of four Chiefs named in the British & Irish Lions squad, ruled out with a niggle.
Behind the scrum, the back division remains unchanged meaning Cornishman Jack Nowell will continue his recovery from his spell on the sidelines with a second start in as many games.