Baxter's joy at Chiefs display

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter was full of praise for his side as they alive their aspirations of Heineken Cup qualification with an impressive 37-24 win over London Wasps at Adams Park.

The Devon visitors notched up their 11th Aviva Premiership win of the season with an impressive display that was rewarded with tries for Jack Yeandle, Jack Nowell, Damian Welch and Haydn Thomas.

The metronomic Gareth Steenson weighed in with a further 17 points for the Chiefs, who now know victory over Gloucester in their final game of the season on May 4 will ensure them of featuring in Europe's top cup competition for a second time.

Battling it out alongside Baxter's men for that final berth will be Bath, who themselves remain in contention following their last-gasp 27-26 win at home to Leicester Tigers.

They will conclude their campaign at leaders Saracens knowing nothing less than a victory will be enough for them to join Europe's elite next season.

For Baxter, though, the sole focus for him and his players will be to get everything in place for the visit of the Cherry & Whites - and to attempt to replicate this latest display that brought such rich rewards.

"I thought we not only played with real energy and enthusiasm, but we played with a determination to win a game of rugby," said Baxter. "That is what we have to do, we have to play like a team who want a place in the Heineken Cup next season. I thought we did that well today, but we'll need to repeat it again in two weeks."

From the outset at Adams Park, the Chiefs were clearly determined to get the job done and the display they produced was among the best they've served up this season.

Baxter added: "We've got a good set of guys here and all year they've worked very. That is why they have the energy they have now because they all want to be part of a Heineken Cup squad again next season. As is the case, though, any team is driven by the culture of the players and right now we're in a good place and that's driving the team forward.

"As coaches, we keep challenging them on things and asking them: 'are you scared to be in Heineken Cup or are you desperate to be in there?' or 'do you want to be sixth or do you want to fight to be fifth?'

"These are the questions we have to keep asking them because the secret is not have they got it inside them - because I know they have - the secret is more about letting it all out. Today we let some of it out, but not all of it, so what we've said now is let’s make sure we let it all out in two weeks against Gloucester."

Exeter's latest win made it five wins in six Premiership games and the confidence around the Sandy Park outfit is clearly evident at such a crucial stage in the season.

Indeed, Baxter believes this season's exploits in the Heineken Cup have proved a huge learning curve for the Devon club, who found themselves up against Leinster, Scarlets and Clermont Auvergne in Pool 5.

"We've had a fantastic experience this year in the Heineken Cup," said Baxter. "As a group and as a club, I don't think we could have asked for three better fixtures. We've learnt heaps from playing at that level and I think it has helped us produce performances like today.

"From the outset we've looked at the Heineken Cup as an adventure and nothing more than that. Of course we want to be in there again next season, but we'll see what happens.

"With hindsight, what I'm a little disappointed about is maybe had we had one more Premiership win this season, this final few weeks could have been very exciting for us as we are coming strong. As I've said before, we are a team set up for the last two  months to be dry and pitches to be nice and hard, I just wish it was drier one month earlier!"