Baxter has few complaints

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By Mark Stevens
27/3/2016

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter had little complain after he watched his side surrender top spot in the Aviva Premiership to Saracens at Allianz Park.

The defending champions regained pole position in the division with just four rounds remaining thanks to a comfortable 36-18 success.

Returning England star Owen Farrell led the way for the home side, scoring 14 points on the day, while there were also touchdowns for Alex Goode, Billy Vunipola, Jackson Wray and Chris Wyles.

The Chiefs countered with a brace of tries from No.8 Thomas Waldrom (pictured), plus additional kicks from Gareth Steenson and Will Hooley, but it was never enough to halt the impressive Londoners.

"It was a little frustrating. It doesn't take me to say that we had the elements in the first half and we needed to capitalise on that and we didn't at all really," said Baxter afterwards.

"We lost the ball too easily, we didn't really get through any phase play in the first half, we didn't really build any concerted pressure and ultimately we paid the price for that because we haven't been able to keep a very good Saracens side under any real pressure. That was the key to it.”

Although the Chiefs had use of the elements in the opening 40 minutes, they found themselves trailing 12-0 until two late penalties from Steenson help to reduce the deficit at the break.

The second half saw an improvement in fortunes from the visitors, but even then Saracens had too much in the tank for their rivals as they powered their way to all five points.

"I can wrap it up fairly simply," added Baxter. "I thought Saracens were good today. They played very well in testing conditions, certain players played very well for them and at the end of the day we have been out-played.

"I can run around and try and make all sorts of excuses and reasons, but we got beaten - especially in the first half - on the gain line, both in attack and defence. We improved that in the second half and some of our defensive sets were pretty good and very physical. We started to carry and keep some phase play together and at times we did some good stuff.

“However, once Saracens were comfortable some of the offloads in and around the tackle area were very good for them and gave them huge momentum.”

The Chiefs, though, remain second in the standings and with Worcester Warriors next on the agenda at Sandy Park this Saturday, Baxter wants to see an immediate response from his team.

He continued: “I’ve just said to the players the easiest way for me to wrap it up is to remind them of the bigger picture. We came here almost exactly a year ago and won, yet Saracens won the Premiership. Individual games between top-four sides don't always carry the weight that they feel they do at this time of year.

“Coming here is tough and it’s very tough when Saracens play very well, which they did today. Our focus has to be on how the lads turn up for training this week and how we refocus for the home game against Worcester. We have to put this game down as one of those tough games in the season, a little bit like Saracens have done having lost to Wasps here a few weeks ago.

“As I said, you don’t have to fall apart as a team. Let’s focus on the good things we do and qualities we need to bring each week.”