Chiefs side to face Clermont

By Mark Stevens

Three years ago this weekend Exeter Chiefs were gearing themselves up for a home date with Rotherham Titans in the first year of the new-look RFU Championship.

Tomorrow, Sandy Park will be packed to the rafters as the Devon club prepare to entertain top French outfit Clermont Auvergne for the first-ever Heineken Cup game staged in the Westcountry (6pm).

In the 36 months that have ensued between the two fixtures, it's hard to quantify just how much has been achieved by the Chiefs in what is perceived as a relatively short space of time in sporting terms.

What is clear, however, is that Exeter head coach Rob Baxter has been the mastermind behind one huge on-field development project, the rewards of which are now being reaped as his side tackle the best club sides’ European rugby has to offer.

A week ago the Chiefs travelled to Dublin to face three-time Heineken Cup winners Leinster in their own backyard. Tomorrow, an equally daunting challenge awaits against a star-studded Clermont Auvergne team.

Undone narrowly 9-6 by Leinster last time out, the Chiefs have wasted little reflecting on the 'what might have been scenario' - instead moving rapidly onto focusing on the visit of the French club, who themselves kicked off their Heineken Cup campaign with an impressive 49-16 home win over the Scarlets.

In what was Exeter's first-ever Heineken Cup appearance, Baxter's side came within a whisker of snatching a draw against their Irish hosts. Had Ignacio Mieres landed a lengthy penalty with the last kick of an absorbing contest, the Chiefs would have undoubtedly won ever more headlines than that which followed their sterling showing in the Irish capital.

Afterwards, Baxter and captain Tom Hayes both admitted they had "mixed emotions" following a herculean team effort from the Chiefs at the RDS. But now having had a few days to reflect on events, the Exeter leader is keen to look ahead, not back, as the Devonians look to claim a prize scalp.

"Yes there were mixed emotions," said Baxter. "Obviously we were disappointed with the end result, but at the same time there was also an element of relief and an element of pleasure in going there and doing a pretty good job.

"At the same time, there is also realism that there were elements of the game where we weren't quite good enough and we did come off second best. We've worked on those areas this week and had a chat about them because we kind of know it's a long term process about building and getting better and staying on that right upward path. We've been good at that over a number of years and it's something we have to keep focusing on.

"Like with any team, you're always going to be disappointed when you lose a game by three points. That said, we've managed to switch our focus quickly onto this next game because in some ways this is a much bigger challenge for us. It's no longer our first Heineken Cup game and it's not away to the champions, now we have to show some consistency against a very good side - and we have to do it at home.

"That in itself adds a bit of pressure to things, but it's also made us very aware that if we train well, prepare well, and perform well on the day, we are going to be there or thereabouts, which is very important to us."

With Clermont seemingly able to select from a 'Who's Who' of international stars, Baxter is well aware the threat to his team gets no easier this weekend.

"They [Clermont] have got strength in different areas to Leinster," he warned. "But what you have to remember as well is there were 11 or 12 internationals featuring in the Leinster team last week, so you're not talking about a shoddy Leinster side, and sometimes people forget that.

"Clermont we know have more internationals in their squad, but they still have to come to Sandy Park, they still have to endure the rigours of travelling over here, to a ground they've not played at before either. We know we are a good team at home, so if we make the game about ourselves, then that's what we will do.

"All week we've talked about being the team that attacks; being the team that has the ball; and seeing what we can get out of the game. Certainly we are going to attack the game, look to score tries and see what comes from it."

Clermont, however, pose considerable threats and Baxter has highlighted to his squad this week just where they will need to be on their guard.

He continued: "The major danger playing them is that you can't afford to switch off against them. If at any stage you have a loose ball or you make a loose decision, they have a counter-attacking back three that can really hurt you.  Obviously we know they are a very good side who can keep constant pressure on you, but sometimes you can deal with that as a team because you know it's coming. It's when a team can hit you from anywhere out of the blue, that's what makes them dangerous."

Buoyed by their impressive display in Dublin, Baxter has resisted the temptation to tinker too much with his line-up. Indeed, the Exeter coach has made just one change in personnel with Australian international Dean Mumm handed his first European start in place of James Hanks, who trades places with the second-row on the bench.

Tickets for tomorrow's game are still available either online by clicking here or through the Trading Post, which is open until 4pm today. The Sandy Park ticket office will open from 2pm tomorrow for sales on the day, supporters are advised however to buy tickets in advance.

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE CLERMONT AUVERGNE

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 Dean Mumm
6 Tom Johnson
7 James Scaysbrook
8 Richard Baxter

16 Chris Whitehead
17 Ben Moon
18 Chris Budgen
19 James Hanks
20 Aly Muldowney
21 Will Chudley
22 Ignacio Mieres
23 Sireli Naqelevuki