Gloucester vs Exeter Chiefs: Rob Baxter insists Kingsholm drubbing will motivate his side

Rob Baxter endured his darkest day in charge of Exeter Chiefs at Kingsholm 12 months ago this weekend and he has recycled the events of that day ahead of today’s return to the ground to face Gloucester.

Gloucester scored 13 tries in a 79-17 victory, which prompted Exeter chairman Tony Rowe to order a coaching shake-up and persuade director of rugby Baxter, below, to dust down his tracksuit.

The Cherry and Whites were then bidding for a place in the top four – they finished fifth, two points behind Bristol Bears – while Exeter were mired in the bottom two.

A year on the positions have been reversed.

Experience

Exeter went into the current round fourth in the table, while Gloucester sat two off the bottom, a point above Harlequins, who were one off the bottom.

“What happened a year ago will stay in my mind for a very long time,” said Baxter. “You have to use every experience in your career as motivation and we have to make sure that it does not happen again.

“It was a tough season for us and you often need that. You can easily say that we owe Gloucester one, but we owe ourselves.

“There was a lot of fallout from the game and it was my hardest week here in many ways.

“Sometimes you need something very abrupt. I considered my own future – you are not very human if you cannot open your eyes and see what is going on.

“We had to confront it, and we did so honestly, having tough conversations we needed earlier in the season.

“It is never down to one thing, but a combination of a few.”

Back in action: Len Ikitau, Exeter Chiefs’ Aussie centre
PICTURES: Getty Images

Work to do

Despite Exeter’s strong recovery – they are in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup as well as in contention for the play-offs – Baxter said it was too early to consider the campaign a success.

“It is a success compared to last season, but not to others we have enjoyed here,” he said. “We still have a decent bit of work to do before we can say that.

“We were just a bit off it against Northampton last week, but very nearly drew the game that had some contentious decisions.

“I expect Gloucester to be motivated and very good.”

Baxter had to assess his full-back options following the hamstring strain suffered by Olly Woodburn against Northampton, with Josh Hodge released early to Newcastle.

“We made the decision with Josh knowing what could happen,” said Baxter. “The big call was doing it and we have to take the repercussions.”

Team news

Better news for Exeter is the availability of Australia centre Len Ikitau, who has missed the last four months after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Saracens in December, his fifth appearance for the Chiefs.

“It is fantastic to have him back,” said Baxter. “His challenge is to get up to speed with limited game time, but having him involved is a bonus ball.”

Baxter has opted to rest international locks Dafydd Jenkins and Andrea Zambonin, handing starts to the physical pairing of Rusi Tuima and Lewis Pearson.

In the backs, the explosive Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Paul Brown-Bampoe start on the wings, having come off the bench last week.