Baxter heralds arrival of Davis
By Mark Stevens
24/3/22
Rob Baxter says he’s excited at what newcomer Aidon Davis can bring to his Exeter Chiefs squad next season after the South African became the Devon club’s third new signing this month.
With international duo Jonny Hill and Sam Skinner both departing Sandy Park at the end of the campaign to join Sale Sharks and Edinburgh Rugby respectively, plus Sean Lonsdale heading to the Dragons, Exeter’s Director of Rugby has moved swiftly to bolster his forward options for the 2022/23 season.
Leinster lock Jack Dunne is one of those new faces, along with club-mate Rory O’Loughlin, and they will be joined in the playing ranks by Davis, who today completed his switch from the Cheetahs on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old, who can play across the back five of the scrum, has spent the majority of his career in his native homeland, but did enjoy a brief two-year stint in France, where he featured for both RC Toulon and Bayonne.
“People will be aware that we have lost a couple of back five forwards, so when that happens you do have to replace them,” said Baxter. “Sometimes you can promote from within - and we’ve done that in recent times bringing through the likes of Dafydd Jenkins, Richard Capstick and Christ Tshiunza - but you also have to look at the market as well.
“With Aidon, we’ve had a good look at home and we like what we’ve seen. He's probably not your traditional second row in that height-wise he's probably not as big as a lot of guys, but he likes to scrummage, he likes to maul, he gets himself involved in the game and wants to be on the ball. When you put all that together, those are the qualities we are looking for and I’ve no doubt he will fit in very well.”
As is often the case with Baxter, the Chiefs leader has left no stone unturned in terms of his recruitment criteria, which he now readily accepts includes looking at players who are not only hungry for success, but who can ultimately offer regular availability in terms of selection.
“As I said, were losing a couple of back five forwards and we've ended up being a bit light in that area this season with the amount of international call-ups multiplied with injuries, so adding a bit of depth and a bit of experience was important for us,” added Baxter.
“The key thing with Aidon - and this came across when we were talking - was that there is clearly still plenty left in his rugby career and that he also wants to succeed. He’s a guy who has a dream of winning things and wanting to play in those big games at the end of a season.
“I’ll be honest, I’m not going for guys who you think will just be natural replacements for those guys leaving, I want someone whose not had their dream yet, or not played internationals, or won big trophies. I want guys with real energy, a new drive and new dynamics about them, because that is key for us moving forward.
“When I say that, though, that doesn’t mean that our established players can’t find that drive or dynamic, because I know they can, it’s more I want to have that hunger and drive within the group. Interestingly, this season, because we are having to battle for that top four like we are, it’s rekindled that hunger and drive within the guys a little bit more than had we been more comfortable. Now, if we can continue like we have been and we do kick on like I hope we can, then come those latter stages we will be in fine nick and it will hold us in good stead to hopefully achieve what we want to achieve.”