Exeter Chiefs’ squad against rivals Bath – Super Rugby update
Rob Baxter, Exeter Chief’s head coach admitted that his team and him are enjoying the prospect of playing the rising Bath at Sandy Park is Saturday’s match.
The Exeter Chiefs have been boosted by the consistent wins over Newcastle Falcons and Harlequins and has eased them from the fears of relegation. Now Chiefs are looking forward to join the top flight of this year’s English Rugby.
However, this weekend, Exeter Chiefs will discover a different challenger with a few difficult prospects. They have to face Bath, their West Country rivals. Western Country is in tremendous form at the moment and will be a difficult animal to slaughter.
Sir Ian McGeechan’s team comprehensively won last week’s home clash against Saints, which meant that his side has come all the way unbeaten for its last seven matches. McGeehan will assure that his side walks in the stadium with confidence and return with
a victory.
A total of 10,500 tickets have already been sold and it is expected to be a jam pack on Saturday. Both the sides have a perfect atmosphere and ingredients to put up a great show for those who will be there and for those who will be tuning in.
Baxter said, “I think our last two results have certainly contributed to the game being a sell-out.”
Although, it has been a Sandy Park tradition to have a good number of crowd and a fierce battle on field, but this one is turning out to be a huge success and anticipation is rising with every preview that’s published.
Baxter added, “I think people now think they can come to Sandy Park and witness a first-class, spirited game of rugby. Add into the mix we're playing Bath in a local derby; they're a big club and still a big draw, so I think it will be a fantastic occasion
and a cracking local derby.”
After Chiefs seven wins in a total of fourteen Premiership matches, Baxter believes that there is another stress which is being imposed on his side following Exeter’s superb debut tournament.
He said, “Up until now all winning games has done is take pressure off us because we've maintained that gap between ourselves and the bottom of the league.”
Exeter believes that after these two victories and confirmation of the club’s exclusion from the bottom league, has raised the expectations and fans now want the club to make it to the top flight. So the pressure is double now. Baxter deems it as a positive
pressure and such ideology will bring about a driving force in the squad.
He said, “That's the kind of stress we actually wanted to have and we're gradually receiving it. Bath will still walk into the field as favorites, they're a well recognized club playing healthy, but I think our home form makes clubs think it's a tough place
to approach.”
History supports Baxter’s statements, as it’s been a rare occasion for Chiefs to lose at home. This season, only Leicester and London Irish were able difficultly beat Chiefs at their home.
Baxter announced his side for the Bath’s fixture and not so surprisingly didn’t change the squad. There are a few but at bench only and the starting lineup remains the same.
Chris Whitehead has been replaced by Simon Alcott and Ryan Davis is being taken over by Ignacio Mires on benches. Nemani Nadolo, the 21 year old Fijian star, makes his debut for Exeter in a Premiership fixture by replacing Phil Dolman on bench.
Even though he has stuck to the plan, he believes what matters on field is presence of a team. He insisted on the fact that only those will be playing, who will give a consistent performance.
He said, “Our keep showing us that we should pick you and we'll keep picking you.' We've pretty much stayed true to that and we've done that again.”
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