Harsh lesson valuable for Exe
BY Charlie Hynes, John Evely Rob Baxter said yesterday’s heavy 46-5 defeat to Wasps will be a useful ‘slap in the face’ of some of the young talent coming through at the club.
If Exeter Chiefs meet Wasps again this season it will be in the Gallagher Premiership final, but the Baxter’s side will look very different if they come together at Twickenham on October 24.
A young Exeter Chiefs side conceded six tries, including a brace from replacement scrum half Ben Vellacott to overshadow what was a brave performance.
Chiefs’ only try came from 21-year-old replacement prop Danny Southworth on his Premiership debut as he drove over from close range in typical Exeter fashion.
Having secured top spot in the league, and a home semi-final, weeks ago, Exeter director of rugby Baxter had earned the right to play a young Chiefs side as he rested his first team regulars to be battle in the home semi-final as well as the small matter of the club’s first ever Heineken Champions Cup final.
After the match Baxter said the thrashing in Round 22 will be a useful grounding experience for his young side.
He said: “I don’t mind us losing heavily and I actually think it might be a good thing for us, especially when you look at the number of young players in the team.
“The hardest thing for a young academy player is to genuinely understand how tough Premiership Rugby is. Day’s like today make you understand how tough it is.
“It’s important sometimes you have a littler refresher, and a little slap in the face as any type of player or coach, because it just reminds you it is the day-to-day hard work that gets you the rewards you want.”
It was a score line that did not truly reflect the effort of Baxter’s young chiefs who will take plenty of positives away. They stood toe-to-toe with an in-form and experienced Premiership side on occasions and showed the Chiefs faithful glimpses of future talents.
Late drama involving Bath and Saracens at Allianz Park saw the sides draw 17-17 meaning Exeter will still have to wait until tomorrow to find out who they shall play in the semi-final.
This is dependant on the Sale Sharks COVID-19 tests this evening with the northern side’s home time with Worcester Warriors postponed until 7pm tomorrow night.
Meanwhile, England have named 12 uncapped players in a squad of 28 that will take part in a three-day training camp in London this week.
Some of Eddie Jones’ biggest names are present such as Owen Farrell, Billy Vunipola and Elliot Daly following Saracens’ relegation from the Gallagher Premiership, but four players are appearing in a senior squad for the first time.
Saracens wing Ali Crossdale, Leicester prop Joe Heyes, Harlequins prop Simon Kerrod and Gloucester number eight Jack Clement make their debuts in a training group picked by Jones.
Jones has been unable to select from six clubs because of this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership playoffs - the top four of Exeter, Wasps, Bristol and Bath plus Sale and Worcester.