Rugby We can really celebrate now, says Exeter boss Baxter
If we didn’t win here, that would have taken the shine off it
EXETER boss Rob Baxter declared the celebrations can really begin after a 19-13 victory over Wasps in the Gallagher Premiership final completed the double.
A week after Racing 92 were edged out in Bristol to secure a first Champions Cup, the Chiefs became the fourth English club to sweep all before them on the domestic and European fronts.
The European silverware was taken to Twickenham in preparation for Exeter to really begin their party.
“The biggest emotion right now is relief. I know that sounds a bit strange when you’ve just won a competition, but last week played a huge part in that,” said Baxter.
“We’ve got both trophies in the changing room there because now we can celebrate last week as well as this week.
“If we didn’t win here, that would have taken the shine off it. This allows us to stop, pause and look back a little bit over a very good season over two very tough competitions. Now we can spend some time reflecting on how important the work these guys have done has been to the club.
“I’m relieved that they’re able to really enjoy what they’ve achieved without any shine being taken off because that wouldn’t have felt too good.”
Wasps were heroic in defeat, casting aside a fractured build-up that saw seven players test positive for coronavirus to push Exeter right until the death. They even had a glorious late chance to snatch the lead only to botch the line-out when a penalty that would have levelled the score was there for the taking.
“It’s pretty gutting. It’s a tough one because we’re gutted but at the same time we’re proud of the game,” boss Lee Blackett said.
“Things didn’t go our way at times, but our character and fight were there, especially against a team who we know are so good close to the line.
“I’m really proud of our character and right to defend our line and not allow them over. All of our fight and character gave us an opportunity with a couple of minutes to go but unfortunately we didn’t take it.
“The decision to go for the lineout, I’ll never question that decision. It’s the decision they felt right.”
After Jimmy Gopperth’s early penalty for Wasps, Henry Slade crossed for an Exeter try.
Jacob Umaga’s score put Wasps ahead only for Joe Simmonds to kick two penalties to put the Chiefs in front at the break.
A second Gopperth penalty was followed by a third from Simmonds in a tense second half played in torrential rain. Exeter repelled a late Wasps late surge before Simmonds’ final kick sealed it.