'We have strength in depth' - Ewers

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Dave Ewers believes the high standards Exeter Chiefs have maintained in recent months in spite of an extensive injury list show the strength in depth at the club.

Ewers has been one of a number of key players to miss a large chunk of the season – he returned in Sunday's win over Bath after three months out with an injured knee.

The likes of Henry Slade, Mitch Lees, Damian Welch and Luke Cowan-Dickie have also missed out due to injury, yet the Chiefs have continued to excel in all competitions.

They are currently second in the Aviva Premiership and have also reached the quarter-finals of the European Champions Cup on a dramatic final weekend of group matches.

"I think it shows the quality and the depth we have in the squad now and it shows how we are progressing," said the 25-year-old. "We have got players who can fill in from one to 15 and they are not just filling in, sometimes they are doing an even better job. They are showing how Rob (Baxter) can trust the players in the squad to fill in whenever."

Ewers lasted 61 minutes before being replaced by Kai Horstmann in what was a tough return to action against Bath.

Despite racing into a 16-0, Exe were pegged back to 16-14 with converted tries for the visitors from rolling mauls either side of half-time.

But a try from Horstmann and fine kicking from Gareth Steenson saw the Chiefs stretch out their lead again.

"Bath came out us through their mauls and showed their qualities there," Ewers said. "We maybe didn't handle it as well as we could have but credit to them, they knew it was a strength of theirs and they stuck to it."