Baxter: We know we must dig deep
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EXETER have made six changes to the side that beat Bristol last weekend with wing Jack Nowell returning from a knee injury to the captain the team.
Scott Sio, Jonny Gray, Jacques Vermeulen and Christ Tshiunza are all included in the forwards, with Sean O’Brien returning at inside centre.
Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says his side will have to “dig deep” to end La Rochelle’s defence of their European crown – in what he believes will be a memorable occasion.
“No-one who is going to be there is not going to say it was an incredible experience afterwards,” said Baxter.
“What we have to do, however, is make it an experience that we really want it to be. That’s going to take a bit of doing, we’re going to have to dig deep, but that’s what great games should be like.
“Training has been great and we have asked a lot of the non23 this week. Asked a lot of them to get their prep bang on. We really have had to use the whole squad to get some top-line prep done.
“What more can you want as a player or as a coach than getting on the plane in Exeter on Saturday, heading to a fantastic city and a sold-out stadium?
“It’s kind of ‘what more do you want?’ You should be desperate to play in games and occasions like this.”
La Rochelle make two changes from the side that overcame Saracens in the quarter-final.
Dillyn Leyds starts on the wing with Jules Favre moving to inside centre for Jonathan Danty. The only change in the pack sees Romain Sazy start in the second row instead of Thomas Lavault.