Baxter names Chiefs side to face Scarlets tomorrow

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has challenged his side to back-up their first-ever victory in the Heineken Cup by showing the same qualities that brought them European success in Wales a week ago.

 

Fresh from seeing off the Scarlets 22-16 on their own Parc Y Scarlets turf, Devon’s finest entertain Simon Easterby’s outfit for a second successive week in their latest Pool 5 fixture.

 

Again it’s a crucial clash for the Chiefs, who after this weekend must next month travel to unbeaten pool leaders Clermont Auvergne before hosting defending champions Leinster at Sandy Park.

 

However, buoyed by their maiden scalp Baxter is keen for his team to kick on and extend their winning streak in all competitions to seven games, particularly ahead of a busy Christmas period which will include Premiership encounters against both Gloucester and Bath.

 

“It’s going to be interesting because it’s quite rare you get this situation (where you play a side two weeks in a row),” said Baxter. “Now the battle is which side recovers the best, does the best preparation and backs it up with the best mindset on the day.

 

“The short time between last week and facing them again this weekend means we have to process the rights and wrongs of last weekend’s game quickly.

 

“Everything is a little bit different. We did a three or four-game analysis for the first game and that stays in place, but now we add one more game to it. The difference is that the players have it in their bodies and minds having experienced it themselves. It is not just things they have seen on video.

 

“That is slightly different environment to what they are used to. Normally we haven’t played a team for a few months and this is about locking horns with guys they have just played against.

 

“The last time we did that was in the Amlin and that was a little while ago – probably this time last year – so it is a little bit different and something that good players can adapt to. The Heineken Cup is a learning experience for us and this is just a slightly different one.”

 

Although victorious, Baxter says his troops can ill afford to be complacent in their latest battle and expects a riposte from the proud Welsh region.

 

He added: “What we’ve got to guard against is that edge of complacency because we won the first game, but I think what will stop that is that the guys are aware it was a tough game and in the closing minutes we were the team under pressure.

 

“I’m hoping we’ll have an enthusiasm to play well at home, a focus on what we have to do to improve and the targets we want to take into the game.

 

“I believe whoever can crank up the intensity in the rematch will win the battle.”

 

Intensity will certainly be a key ingredient to the contest, but the Chiefs will not deviate too far away from last week’s plan of attack, which worked so well for long periods.

 

“There were some missed opportunities out there for us,” continued Baxter. “We also want to make sure we don’t allow the pressure to build on us, which was what happened in the final quarter last weekend.

 

“It’s not so much about bringing something different but about adding a bit of accuracy and precision to two or three things we did which could give us some good rewards.”

 

And to help in that very cause, Baxter has again rotated his playing options as he makes a handful of changes to his starting XV. Into the pack come Aly Muldowney, James Hanks and Dean Mumm, whilst behind Ian Whitten, Jack Nowell and Phil Dollman are also given the nod.

 

“In certain positions in the squad we’re pretty injury-free and when that happens and you’re comfortable with the guys you’ve got there you’ve got to try to keep as many guys fresh as possible,” added the head coach.

 

“You also want to add a bit of energy to the starting line-up as well. We’ve made a few changes again this weekend because we’re just about halfway through a Premiership season that we want to keep playing well in.

 

“There are quite a few games down the line that we want to go into fresh, but we also want to keep improving. I don’t think you necessarily do that by just wheeling out the same guys every week. Sometimes that’s the right thing to do but it’s important to keep the squad involved and keep energy levels high on the pitch.”

 

Also featuring from the outset will be England international Tom Johnson, who is set to make his 150th appearance for the club.

 

Tickets for tomorrow’s game are still available either online or through the Trading Post, which is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm.

 

15 Phil Dollman

14 Jack Nowell

13 Sireli Naqelevuki

12 Ian Whitten

11 Gonzalo Camacho

10 Gareth Steenson

9 Haydn Thomas

1 Brett Sturgess

2 Simon Alcott

3 Hoani Tui

4 Aly Muldowney

5 James Hanks

6 Dean Mumm

7 James Scaysbrook (capt)

8 Tom Johnson

 

16 Neil Clark

17 Ben Moon

18 Carl Rimmer

19 Damian Welch

20 Ben White

21 Kevin Barrett

22 Ignacio Mieres

23 Luke Arscott