Exeter Chiefs currently sit sixth in the Gallagher Premiership table after three games, having won, drawn and lost so far this campaign.
Just two sides remain unbeaten this season, those being Bath and Northampton, Director of Rugby Rob Baxter described himself as “a little bit frustrated” that his side weren’t one of the unbeaten teams.
He went on to add that “You’ve got to have a way of building through a season and not lurch from results, and I said that to the lads afterwards…if you lose, then you lose a bonus point in a game where there’s a good chunk of the last quarter where it looks like we’re going to win, you can’t just suddenly turn around and just go everything’s wrong now…that’s not the way to build across the course of the season.”
The Chiefs have played away from home twice in their opening three fixtures naturally making for a difficult start especially going to Ashton Gate to face Bristol Bears. When asked if he’d have taken the points they’ve gained from those games Baxter said “to collect the points we have, we’re right in the mix but we’ve got to keep collecting points, we 100% would’ve taken this start.”
Baxter also added that “We look competitive in a lot of areas and that’s got to be good. We’ve got players entering the squad now, with Tom Hooper and Len Ikitau here now, and in full training, Josh Hodge back from suspension. Joseph Dweba back after missing last week.”
Chiefs have been bolstered by new signings Hooper and Ikitau, with both players having joined after impressive campaigns in the Rugby Championship and featuring heavily for Australia against the best of the Southern Hempishpere.
Speaking on the moves, Baxter said “They’ve been great, they’ve fitted in really well. They’re both very keen to get involved as soon as possible. Len’s been here a bit longer so probably had that little bit more time to get acclimatised and get over any kind of jet lag issues. Hooper has rocked in, turned up on Sunday morning ready to go, wants to get involved. He’s done everything he could do from minute one of turning up and fair play to him.”
Baxter went on to provide an injury update on the squad ahead of Sunday’s clash with Harlequins at Sandy Park. “We look pretty good, the only one, Ross Vinctcent has just been stood down with the HIA after the 20 minute red card incident, so he’s the only guy out of the game which is a positive for us. Josh Hodge is back from suspension, and Joseph Dweba is available now from his little niggling knee issue.”
A number of Exeter players are out of contract at the end of the season, most notably Henry Slade and Josh Hodge. Baxter stated that he has “not started what you call formal negotiations. The biggest reason why is that we need to see how the team goes. We didn’t have a good season last season, there’s no ulterior motive behind the fact. I want to see how we go, and I want to see what form the squad is in.”
He went on to add “That’s where we are, as I said before, I’d like to think we’re in the process of moving forward to rebuild a group of players that can be very successful together and I’m not going to just rush in to re-siging everyone who’s here now, because I want to see where out growth still remains and I’m very comfortable with that.”
