Chiefs side to face Cardiff Blues

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter says his players should relish the challenge of tackling Europe's elite when they kick-off their Heineken Cup campaign at home to Cardiff Blues on Sunday (12.45pm).

Having been given an initial taste of the tournament last season against the likes of Leinster, Clermont Auvergne and Scarlets, Baxter's men are back for a second bout of the action again this season.

First up are the Blues, who will arrive in Devon with a star-studded squad that includes victorious British & Irish Lions stars Sam Warburton, Gethin Jenkins, Leigh Halfpenny and Alex Cuthbert. However, that quartet are not the only threats that the Chiefs will need to be aware of as the Welsh region have a plethora of outstanding individuals and Baxter has warned his players they will need to be on top form if they are to achieve their ambitions.

"They have threats all over the field," warned Exeter's leader. "This weekend our guys are going to be playing against British Lions and Welsh internationals, so we know it's going to be a tough game for us. We're aware that we will need to stay tight defensively and not make individual errors. That said, we're excited about the challenge, not just because it's the Heineken Cup, but also because we're at home and we're playing in front of our own supporters."

As well as having home advantage, the Chiefs will also head into the contest buoyed by an impressive victory at Gloucester in their last outing.

Baxter says that display was the "best yet" this season from his team and has asked them to replicate that showing against the visiting Welshmen.

"Finishing that first block of Premiership games with a win like that was huge for us," admitted Baxter. "Not only was it very satisfying results-wise, but it has given us the foundation to go out and enjoy attacking the Heineken Cup. We have talked about going after this competition as hard as we can, so to have Cardiff come down here with us on decent form is going to be hugely exciting."

For the Chiefs, overcoming league rivals Gloucester in such a convincing manner not only offered a huge fillip in terms of league placings, but it also gave the club the perfect response following a mixed display against Leicester Tigers in their last home outing.

"Was it a response or was it us just being Exeter again?" asked Baxter. "It was not so much a reaction to the Leicester game, it was more a focus on ourselves and what we want to be about. We did it well in the second half against Leicester and then we put it in for 80 minutes against Gloucester. It was one of those games where a lot of the things we have been working on as a group really came together, so I think if you pull all those things together in one performance, we know we can be a very effective side."

Baxter is also hoping that experiences gained last season in the competition will also come in handy as his side look to push forward.

"I guess what we learned from last season were things like the intensity of the game; the pressure of playing in this environment and the importance of taking bonus points, keeping your error count low and staying disciplined," explained Baxter. "Also, I think it's import that we revel in and enjoy these big moments and these big games.

"I keep saying to our guys that good players and good teams get better under the pressure. Players who go on to play at international level tend to be the players who perform well at club level, get better at Heineken Cup level and get better again at international level. They are the guys that thrive at the top end and that's what I want from us. I want to see guys who are better in the Heineken Cup than they are in the Premiership. I don't want OK, I want better, so that's the challenge."

Team news for the Chiefs sees Baxter forced to tweak his backline due to injuries sustained in the past week. Former Blues' winger Tom James rolled an ankle in training, so he misses out and Fetu'u Vainikolo (pictured) comes in for his first competitive start; whilst the experienced Jason Shoemark returns at centre in place of Sam Hill, who picked up a knock in the latter stages of the game at Kingsholm. The promotion of Tongan international Vainikolo means his spot on the bench is filled by Fijian powerhouse Sireli Naqelevuki.

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CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE CARDIFF BLUES

15 Phil Dollman
14 Matt Jess
13 Ian Whitten
12 Jason Shoemark
11 Fetu'u Vainikolo
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Dave Lewis
1 Brett Sturgess
2 Chris Whitehead
3 Hoani Tui
4 Dean Mumm (capt)
5 Damian Welch
6 Tom Johnson
7 Ben White
8 Dave Ewers

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Ben Moon
18 Carl Rimmer
19 Don Armand
20 Kai Horstmann
21 Haydn Thomas
22 Henry Slade
23 Sireli Naqelevuki