Today's Chiefs side to face Bath
Whilst there are some who believe Bath's 'Indian Sign' over the Exeter Chiefs is now becoming entrenched in the minds of those at the Devon club, head coach Rob Baxter is quick to refute such a claim ahead of their latest meeting.
Today the Westcountry rivals square up for their Aviva Premiership encounter at the Recreation Ground (3.15pm) knowing it's not only local bragging rights at stake but, more importantly, vital top flight points on offer.
With five previous Premiership wins - and a 12-all draw - already accrued against the Chiefs in the last three seasons, Bath not only go into the game with an impressive record under their belts, but also added confidence having seen off Baxter's side just a fortnight ago in the LV= Cup.
"I can imagine there are plenty of people out there who are wondering when are going to beat them," said Baxter. "For me, though, it's not something I focus on massively. It's one of those things and I'm sure it will happen at some stage.
"I talk a lot about where I see us going as a club and I'm very much of the view we will get where we want to be one day. It doesn't have to be tomorrow, next week or even in two years' time - but I'm pretty confident that we are a team that down the line will be involved in big top four games, semi-finals and getting involved in the later season competitions.
"As I said, I've never been one to say we will do this or that in this period of time, instead it's about slowly progressing and giving yourself the opportunity to get better. I think Bath games feel the same for us, we have beaten every other team in the Premiership and one day we will beat them.
"The focus is not to panic and worry it has to be this weekend, but more what we have to do is prepare in a way that gives us an opportunity. If we can do that, it's then up to us to try and take it."
In recent times both the Chiefs and Bath have engaged in some great Premiership fixtures, but it's been the latter that have prospered more often and not. Indeed, the closest that Baxter's side have got to tasting victory was almost 12 months ago when they shared a 12-12 draw at Sandy Park.
On that occasion the Chiefs were in control of the game for long periods, but failed to make their advantage tell and were ultimately undone when their arch rivals nabbed a late penalty try to grab a share of the spoils.
Baxter admits even now that was a tough pill to swallow for both himself and his team. He continued: "I think the draw last season was tough on us. We were very much in control of the game for a long period; we were camped in the opposition 22, forced a couple of chances, but we didn't take them.
"Had we landed one of them that would have put us 10 points up with minutes running out. As it was, Bath got to the other end, forced a pressure situation and then forced a try which got them the draw.
"I think when you look back you can't worry too much that there is some mythical thing there. Instead I think on the day in the games that we have lost, Bath have simply played better than us. That said, I think last year in the draw we deserved the win, but fair play to them they showed great resilience and they forced the draw."
And it's that fighting spirit which Baxter says his team will need to show this weekend if they are to finally break their duck.
He added: "Bath are a good side, a top-four team and the type of big challenge you are going to have to face if you're pushing up the league.
"Whenever we have gone at each other with full-strength sides they have always been pretty close games. Saracens last week was the kind of game that you expect against a top-four side, particularly one with a strong defensive set-up.
“If you play well, you are going to give yourself a couple of opportunities but you have to take them too. At the weekend I thought we played very well in a tight affair but there were a couple of opportunities we didn’t take.
“You have to be able to deal with that, step back and take in the bigger picture and force those things when they happen next time."
After last Saturday's 16-9 loss to leaders Saracens, Baxter has tinkered with his formation offering a first league start of the season to Luke Arscott at full-back. His inclusion means Phil Dollman drops back into the midfield where he will partner the recalled Jason Shoemark. Up front, the only change to the Exeter pack sees Ben Moon come in at loosehead for Brett Sturgess, who drops to the bench alongside Ian Whitten.
15 Luke Arscott
14 Jack Nowell
13 Phil Dollman
12 Jason Shoemark
11 Matt Jess
10 Gareth Steenson
9 Dave Lewis
1 Ben Moon
2 Jack Yeandle
3 Hoani Tui
4 Dean Mumm (capt)
5 Damian Welch
6 Tom Johnson
7 Ben White
8 Dave Ewers
16 Chris Whitehead
17 Brett Sturgess
18 Alex Brown
19 Don Armand
20 Kai Horstmann
21 Haydn Thomas
22 Henry Slade
23 Ian Whitten
Pictures: Exeter Rugby Club/Pinnacle Photo Agency
