Europe is "still alive" for us

By Mark Stevens

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter believes qualification into the latter stages of this season's Heineken Cup is "still alive" for his side despite them slipping to a narrow 14-9 defeat at home to reigning champions RC Toulon.

A first half try from Florian Fresia, coupled with kicks from Jonny Wilkinson and Matt Giteau, ensured the star-studded French outfit just pipped their Devon hosts, who themselves replied with penalties from Gareth Steenson (2) and Henry Slade.

The defeat - Exeter's second in this year's competition - means they have slipped to third in the Pool Two standings on seven points; three adrift of leaders Toulon and two behind Cardiff Blues, who on Friday night defeated Glasgow Warriors 29-20 at the Arms Park.

Baxter, though, remains upbeat and insists his team's European plans remains the same despite this latest loss.

“In terms of the group, we are really in the same position as we were before today. We had to win one of the two games against Toulon,” said Baxter. “It is crucial we got five points from the Toulon matches, and having got the losing bonus point today, it is still within our grasp. It is tougher now because we have got to go away and win, but the pool is still alive for us.”

However, the Chiefs showed enough in this latest encounter to back up Baxter's claims ahead of what is not a 'must-win' for them at the Stade Mayol this Saturday.

Baxter added: “We are pleased with massive parts of our game, and once again we showed a fantastic attitude and a fantastic work ethic, and defensively we were superb at times.

“We created a couple of gilt-edged opportunities, which you have to take if you are going to beat Toulon. In the second half, we started to get bogged down territorially, and that is something we need to look at.

“We made some really good decisions to run from deep at times, but when you get all of the opposition back field up in the defensive line, we have got to look up and make those kicks to win back territory, and we were a little off in that part of our game.”

It's all a far cry from four years ago for the Chiefs who - on the same weekend - were securing an away-day victory at Doncaster Knights in the Championship.

"We have only been in the Premiership for four seasons and the Heineken Cup for a couple of seasons," continued Baxter. "Now we have gone toe to toe for 80 minutes with last season's European champions," said Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter.

"I don't think anyone would have been shocked if we had come through on top with a couple of penalties or whatever. You are always disappointed when you lose; but I'm disappointed for the players who put so much in to the game."

Meanwhile, Baxter paid tribute to 20-year-old Slade (pictured) who had 60 minutes of rugby against the Cup holders when he replaced the injured Steenson. The Plymouth-born back was one of the key performers for England Under-20s last season as they lifted a third successive Six Nations title.

"I think a lot of teams would have been really dented when their number one fly-half went off so early in the game," added Baxter. "I thought Henry stepped up and did really well and showed a real maturity. I think for a lad to come on in such a big game at that age; get that much game time and perform so well is a credit to him. It kind of bodes well for the future. We'll assess Steenson's muscular problem and make the fly-half call later in the week."