Baxter names Chiefs side to take on Leinster
Rob Baxter says Exeter's qualification into the Heineken Cup for the first time in the club's history was just reward for what was an outstanding campaign for the Chiefs last season.
A fifth place finish in only their second year in the Aviva Premiership ensured the Devon club would be participating on the biggest club stage in the Northern Hemisphere, tackling the cream of European Rugby in at least six competitive fixtures.
On Saturday the Exeter Chiefs adventure begins in earnest with a trip across the Irish Sea to face the competition's reigning champions, Leinster, who themselves are kicking off their own quest to try and win a third successive crown.
Pitted not only against the impressive Irishmen, the Chiefs will also have to contend with the French superstars from Clermont Auvergne, as well as top Welsh region Scarlets in a daunting Pool 5.
But as Baxter readied his troops for their maiden battle in Dublin, the Chiefs head coach was quick to speak of the hunger for success that exists within his squad.
Baxter said: "It's going to be fantastic," he said. "We have always talked from the moment we got in the Premiership that every experience we had, we would try and hit it full on.
"For us, this is just the next step. Of course I'm expecting it [the group] to be very tough, but I hope it is. I hope the intensity is very high because ultimately we are only going to improve as individuals and as a team by experiencing tough things."
EXETER CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE LEINSTER
15 Luke Arscott 14 Ian Whitten 13 Phil Dollman 12 Jason Shoemark 11 Matt Jess 10 Gareth Steenson 9 Haydn Thomas 1 Brett Sturgess 2 Simon Alcott 3 Carl Rimmer 4 Tom Hayes (capt) 5 James Hanks 6 Tom Johnson 7 James Scaysbrook 8 Richard Baxter
16 Chris Whitehead 17 Ben Moon 18 Chris Budgen 19 Aly Muldowney 20 Dean Mumm 21 Will Chudley 22 Ignacio Mieres 23 Sireli Naqelevuki
For the full story visit www.exeterchiefs.co.uk
See Chris Whitehead's latest blog at http://theexeterdaily.co.uk/news/blogs/whiteheads-world-smells-team-spirit
