Baxter's men robbed of try

Exeter Chiefs saw their 13-month long unbeaten home record fall by the wayside as defending Aviva Premiership champions Saracens came back from 11-0 down to record victory at a packed Sandy Park.

The league leaders chalked up their 10th win in 11 Premiership starts to extend their lead at the top of the table over the Chiefs to five points. A first half try from No.8 Samu Vunisa and three second half penalties from the Premiership’s all-time top points-scorer, Charlie Hodgson, saw Mark McCall’s side to success against Devon’s finest.

Earlier, though, all appeared rosy for Rob Baxter’s side, who had stormed into a 11-0 lead thanks to a try from James Short and two penalties from fly-half Gareth Steenson. A key moment, however, was referee Thomas Foley’s decision to chalk off a potential second try from the Chiefs through Ollie Atkins.

The official believed the home side had knocked on in the build-up to the score, although TV replays later proved otherwise.

With just two points separating the two clubs heading into the match, the Chiefs – fresh from victory at Worcester last time out – made five changes to their winning formula.

Three came in the front-row where Messrs Moon, Yeandle and Low were all recalled, whilst behind Ollie Atkins was given the nod in the second row and Sam Hill was brought back into the centre with Michele Campagnaro missing on international duty.

Saracens, meanwhile, arrived in the Westcountry missing a glut of star names because of the current Six Nations campaign. That said, they were boosted by the news that Maro Itoje was able to take his place on the bench following a quick flight back from Scotland having been a travelling reserve for Eddie Jones’ England side.

Chiefs 11 Saracens 14

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