The Mail on Sunday

Baxter: I rang my wife and said I’d definitely be home tonight

- By Nik Simon

EXETER have warned that the best is yet to come as they bid to secure a famous double in next weekend’s Premiershi­p final against Wasps.

The new European champions will return to training tomorrow as they look to follow their Champions Cup final victory over Racing 92.

Rob Baxter’s side held on for a narrow success at Ashton Gate and the coach said he wanted to see a step up at Twickenham.

‘We have got to enjoy the moment and the bus ride home and savour the feeling whilst we get out heads about moving on,’ said Baxter.

‘I’d like to think that today’s result, and not playing as well as we could, will free us up against Wasps and we can play better.

‘We got a bit cagey and we’d like to free ourselves up next week, but first I’m going to put today to bed and allow us to move on.’

With no fans allowed in to watch, tearful Baxter called his wife Jo from the pitch at full- time and added: ‘I’m a bit all over the place. I told her I would definitely be home tonight! She was pretty emotional and it made me a bit emotional.

‘We have been together a long time, my whole career, and she has seen the highs and lows. It was a special couple of minutes.

‘ To st art with she was j ust screaming at me in emotional joy and then we managed to have a few words and talked about the journey and it was a nice few minutes.’

 ??  ?? EX FACTOR: Baxter and Steenson are all smiles after grinding out the win
EX FACTOR: Baxter and Steenson are all smiles after grinding out the win

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