Baxter names Chiefs side to face Glasgow

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has called on his side to “front up” for their final pre-season test against Glasgow Warriors at Sandy Park tomorrow (3pm).

With warm-up victories over Scarlets (23-15) and Bristol (51-7) already secured in the past fortnight, the Chiefs will be looking to maintain their 100 per cent record against the visiting Scotsmen.

With just over a week to go until Exeter’s Aviva Premiership opener at Northampton Saints, Baxter hopes to use this latest work-out as the perfect preparation tool ahead of their 2013-14 campaign.

“It’s a good challenge for us and one that we’re really looking forward too,” said the Chiefs coach.

“Obviously we are expecting it to be the biggest challenge of our three pre-season games – and it’s obviously an important game going into the start of the new Premiership season, so we’ll need to front up completely.

“Last year we played Glasgow in a similar fixture and in a lot of ways it was a perfect game for us. Not only was it a tough away game, but we had to travel on the day and we played the game at a different ground. Looking back, we did some incredible things that day because we rocked up, we got a couple of injuries in the warm-up, and it looked as though everything that could possibly go wrong did go wrong.

“That said, we put in a fantastic performance up in Scotland, one in which we dominated for large parts and showed a great attitude. This weekend we’ll be looking to do the same, but we know Glasgow are a good side; they put in a decent performance against Harlequins last week; and thy a good year in the Rabo Pro12 last year, so they’ll be looking to be better this year.

“It was pre-season last year that we laid down some good foundations for our whole year ahead. The attitude we showed in all our games, including the Glasgow game, was what it was all about for us. On the night we should have won by more against them, but the weather came in a bit and in the end it tighter than we expected. However, it was a good test for us and I’m expecting similar again this weekend.”

Buoyed by the recent wins over Scarlets and Bristol, the Chiefs will be hoping tomorrow’s tussle will allow them to put the finishing touches towards their seasonal game plan. Baxter says his squad have enjoyed a good training week and are literally counting down the days until their encounter with the Saints at Franklin’s Gardens.

Tickets for tomorrow’s game are still available either online by clicking here or can be purchased from the Ticket Office, which will open from 12 noon on match-day.

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE GLASGOW WARRIORS 15 Luke Arscott 14 Fetu’u Vainikolo 13 Phil Dollman 12 Jason Shoemark 11 Ian Whitten 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Haydn Thomas 1 Brett Sturgess 2 Jack Yeandle 3 Carl Rimmer 4 Dean Mumm (capt) 5 Damian Welch 6 Ben White 7 Tom Johnson 8 Dave Ewers Replacements (from): Ben Moon, Chris Whitehead, Alex Brown, Tom Hayes, Romana Graham, James Scaysbrook, Kai Horstmann, James Phillips, Will Chudley, Dave Lewis, Henry Slade, Ceri Sweeney, Tom James, Sam Hill, Matt Jess.

Picture: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency

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