Huge challenge awaits for Baxter’s resurgent Chiefs

IT WAS expected to be a season of rebuilding for Exeter following the loss of a core group of players who were involved in their Premiership and Champions Cup double three years ago.

But after the first four round of the Premiership, the Chiefs were at the top of the table having put a total of 108 points on last season's top two, Saracens and Sale, at Sandy Park.

“Yes and no,” was the reply of Exeter's director of rugby Rob Baxter when We know there are tougher challenges ahead and we have not won away yet.

“Now everyone is available we will know where we stand. We have developed confidence and an understanding of how we want to play. We need young, ambitious players who want to win trophies and caps because that means they will work extremely hard each week.

“Get 15 players like that on the field and you have a powerful force. When you look at international teams, the majority of players come from successful squads.”

Baxter, left, has made six changes from the side that defeated Bristol last weekend for the trip to Northampton. He has rotated his front row for the second successive match and

Wales lock Dafydd Jenkins captains the side on his first start of the campaign.

It contains only three players who started the European Champions Cup semi-final against La Rochelle at the end of April, proof of the overhaul Baxter has overseen.

“I would not liken it to when we were first promoted to the Premeirship,” said Baxter. “A nucleus of players have experienced Premiership rugby and so we are a bit further forward than we were then.

“Then the likes of Henry Slade, Jack Nowell and Luke Cowan-Dickie came through after a couple of seasons. You do not want to be chopping and changing and bolting things on week to week. You cannot over-accelerate how players mature and it is about them growing into the environment.”

Exeter were undone by their away form last season with their only league victories coming at Worcester, which was scratched when the Warriors folded, and

Bristol. Their one trip this season resulted in a hardfought defeat to Quins.

“We talked at the start of the campaign about maintaining our home record and securing try bonus points,” said Baxter. “In a reduced league, if you are consistent at home and pick up three or four away wins you will have a very good season.

“We were not far away at Quins where it came down to a pass not going to hand and that is the next step for this group.”