Rob Baxter urges Exeter Chiefs to continue fighting after takeover finalised

Exeter Chiefs‘ finances were eased thanks to Black Knight riding to the rescue but boss Rob Baxter now wants his stars to play their part in securing a safe, prosperous and successful future.

The director of rugby insists the multi-million pound takeover by the American investment now needs to be followed by the team improving on their “super strengths” and winning the title.

Baxter, above, is keeping his fingers crossed that last June’s Twickenham appearance was the start of an exciting “new curve” in the development of a side which surprised many by reaching the final before losing to Northampton.

And Baxter insists the new owners will be banking on that fact.

Lifted

He says: “Of course, Black Knight coming in has meant the immediate financial strain was lifted.

“Those regular board meetings about how we keep the cash flow to keep the business ticking over in a positive way. That has been alleviated very quickly.

“There have been a few areas we have been able to invest in.

“At the same time people have to be aware Black Knight haven’t just come in to throw money at something just to see if some of it sticks and creates a win.

“They are a business and they will run it as a business. It was a well-run, profitable business previous to Covid. And that’s what they want to return it to.

“We have to be part of that in terms of how we play, attract the crowds. How we build the business back to how it used to be.”

Baxter, whose side kick off their Premiership campaign by hosting Gloucester on September 26, has been boosted by the return to fitness of full-back Tommy Wyatt after missing all of last season with an ACL injury.

Back in action: Exeter full-back Tommy Wyatt has returned from injury

Expectations

On Chiefs’ title bid he says: “As a team we are not as good as we can be.

“The way you win a Premiership is by knowing what your super strengths are, and that you continue to improve upon them.

“Northampton came through, topped the league and won the final.

“They were the team which knew more than any what their super power is, and they have developed it for the longest period of time.

“It doesn’t just happen overnight.

“But you also have to be careful for if you have such huge expectations you also don’t expect to win games.

“You have to earn the right to win them.

“When we won the Prem in 2016 it was different as it came at the end of a growth curve.

“This one was very sudden and quick. So, for me it’s important to see if we are now on another similar curve.

“If not, that will be the biggest challenge.

“The team is very early on its pathway to being a successful team. It was important to focus on the things that got us there rather than what didn’t happen in the final.”