Baxter ready to step up
Exeter's Richard Baxter has said that he is ready to make the step up to Premiership rugby having played a large part of his career in lower leagues.
Baxter was part of the Championship play-off winning side that beat Bristol at the back end of last season. He says pre-season has gone well, the new signings have settled in and everyone at the club is ready for the Premiership fight.
Baxter is one of the older and more experienced players in the Exeter side and at 32 years of age, many are expecting him to struggle with the pace. However, he seems determined to let the adrenaline take over as Exeter will now face some of the best sides in Europe.
Baxter has a number of skills that will make him an important player for the club. They will also help him to cope with the transition to Premiership rugby. However, there is a gulf in class and this will create inevitable problems for any newly promoted side.
Baxter's skills and attributes
Baxter has a great deal of experience and won't find many of the game plans and tactics in the Premiership at all surprising. He has been at Exeter for 13 years and during this time he has developed a very thorough knowledge of the game that will help him in preparation.
It's very important that he plays at number eight for the side. This means he will be right in the middle of the team and can keep everyone else very calm and composed. If Exeter come under heavy pressure from a better side then he will have to step up and make sure the team doesn't panic.
He lacks a bit of pace but he makes up for this in other areas of his game. His handling of the ball and passing is second to no one at the club and this will be vital in linking up the defence and the attack of the side.
He said: "We know we need to knuckle down this year and improve in all of the games. Everything is another level up now and that's the exciting thing, because it's a chance to test yourself. If I or any other player want to be a successful Premiership player, it's about adapting, working harder and doing those things that help you perform."
Inevitable problems
Exeter can do all of the preparation in the world but they will still find the pace of the rugby very difficult. The best sides move the ball around quickly and unless the defence is perfectly positioned then gaps will appear that faster players will exploit.
Exeter are also going to get beaten on a few occasions this season. They will have to cope with these losses and maintain morale in order to make sure they have a chance in each game. If they let bad feeling infect the side then losses can pile up and this will quickly put the club in trouble.
Baxter added: "The guys that we'll be playing against now will be regular internationals, England 'A' team players and so as the club's progressed each year as a player you've got to move on and progress."
Betting advice
The only realistic bets you can put on Exeter before the season starts is a bet for the club to stay in the Premiership. You will get quite good odds for this and Exeter have a very good chance of ensuring this happens.
The only other option is to back them as each game comes. This should allow you to take advantage of any wins they have and you won't waste any money when the club plays a better side.
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