Chiefs side to face Bath
By Mark Stevens
24/3/23
Rob Baxter has told his Exeter Chiefs players to have ‘no regrets’ in their quest to reach this season’s Gallagher Premiership play-offs.
In what has been the tightest battle ever for a top four finish, the Devonians head into the final run-in knowing their destiny is very much in their own hands. On Sunday, they go in search of yet more league points, this time at Westcountry rivals Bath Rugby (3pm).
With just four matches remaining for Baxter’s charges in the regular season, it’s all to play for and the Chiefs Director of Rugby is keen that his players make the most of the opportunity, particularly those who will be heading for pastures new next season.
“It’s in our hands if we want to extend the season beyond these last four games,” he said. “You can look at all the permutations that are there and you can say ‘this will happen, that will happen’ - but actually it is in our hands. If we could go on a run now, then we can start to see some good things happen and we can continue to climb the table.
“Yes, we’ve got a game in hand on teams around us, but we have to win. There is no point in us having that game in hand if we don’t win. We’re not in the ‘Last Chance Saloon’, but we’re not far off it. It doesn’t take a genius to see that and we certainly haven’t got a chance if we don’t improve our away form. Therefore, we may as well lump everything into this weekend’s game and say ‘here we go guys’ and let’s turn up, give it everything and have no regrets. If we do that, then let’s see where we stand after that.”
Buoyed by last weekend’s Premiership Rugby Cup Final win over London Irish, confidence is certainly high in the visiting camp ahead of their derby tussle at the Recreation Ground. However, Baxter knows Bath - despite being bottom of the table - will pose a formidable threat to his side.
“They have picked up more losing bonus points than we have, so that shows you the games they have lost they have been more tenacious than us, so that says something to me straight away,” warned Baxter. “If you actually look at a lot of their games, they’ve finished in some pretty tight scenarios, so they make look at this season as a stepping stone in that if they turn three or four performances by one more score. That is the threat for us, that is why we have to talk a lot about our intensity across 80 minutes, because if it ebbs or flows, then Bath will get back into the game.
“We have got to make sure we set a tone that we are happy with. If we win or we lose, I’ll take that, but we have to set something out across the 80 minutes that we can walk off the pitch and be happy with. If we do that, nine times out of ten that means we win games of rugby. We are very focused on what it’s going to take, minute by minute, moment by moment and how we align as a team, that’s going to be our big mantra until the end of the season.”
Certainly the feel-good factor is evident in spades within the Chiefs squad and Baxter is keen it continues as his side look to attack what is effectively the business end of the season.
“I think it’s important we remember, whether we win or lose, being a professional rugby player, being here, having the opportunity to play in finals, having the opportunity to play in a single Premiership game, it is a privilege,” added Baxter. “It’s not really a job. I think we’re often talking more about it being a job or a career when actually we just need to backtrack a bit and talk about it’s a privilege, it’s fun and we’re lucky to be here winning or losing.
“As I said, being here is a real privilege and we have to make the most of every minute of it because sporting careers are gone in the blink of an eye, games are gone in an even shorter space of time. They are snap shots, but they give you a chance to build some real memories - and we just have to focus on that part of it all. Some guys are moving on and this is the perfect time for them to go and create some of those memories. Equally for the young guys, it can be start of some of their own memories, so we have to focus on that and enjoy what we do.”
One man who has made plenty of memories in Exeter colours over the years is back-row forward Dave Ewers, who on Sunday will run out for his 200th Premiership and Champions Cup appearance for the club. The 32-year-old is set to leave the Chiefs at the end of the season, bringing to a close a spell at the club that began way back in 2009.
His influence, both on and off the field, is clear to see and Baxter has paid tribute to the Zimabwean-born brute ahead of this latest milestone moment in his career.
“Dave has been a very influential player, game by game for us,” said the Chiefs boss. “I think he has been part of that group that have bonded the group together on how they socialise together, what is expected of them as a group and how emotionally involved they can be. Some of the best moments with Dave in my memory - and I look at these things quite closely - is watching him celebrate tries and just seeing that emotion pour out of him. That means more to me than anything else. That means more than medals, games won or trophies, it’s more about seeing those guys who immerse themselves emotionally into what we do.
“That shows they are the guys who have found the real joy and the real elation here. The guys who really bought into things emotionally are the ones who will leave with the best memories because they are the best memories. Those moments when it’s real and I mean ‘so real’ and you see it in the faces and what you do, they are the guys who will have made the most of their time here. Dave kind of sums up what I want the players to be like over these last few weeks. If it is to their last few weeks, I want them to buy in fully and walk away with no regrets.”
Team news from the last Premiership encounter against Newcastle Falcons a fortnight ago sees the Welsh duo of Dafydd Jenkins and Christ Tshiunza come in for Jannes Kirsten (concussion) and Jacques Vermeulen (foot) in the pack; while behind the scrum Henry Slade is back from England duty and will partner Solomone Kata in the Exeter midfield.
On the bench, there are also welcome returns for both Alec Hepburn and Ollie Devoto, the latter of whom last played in the top flight back on New Year’s Day in 2022, as well as a first return back to the Rec for former Bath lock Mike Williams.
