Chiefs side to face Gloucester

Exeter’s historic double last term – winning both the Premiership and the Champions Cup – were highlights that Baxter this week described as ‘fantastic’. But, he also acknowledged it was tinged with the sadness of not having the club’s supporters present to celebrate on either day.

“On the field, the year feels fantastic,” said Baxter. “The achievement of what the players have done, the acknowledgement of the hard work they have put in, especially during what have been incredibly difficult circumstances, it’s all there.

“What sours it all is that we’ve not had our supporters there to witness and celebrate those moments with us, plus the tragic effects that the outbreak of Covid has brought to so many people. Moving forward, let’s hope the sport part stays much the same as it has, but that the circumstances for all of us in terms of what happens in our day-to-day lives improves significantly.”

Indeed, the realisation of the Covid outbreak were brought home to the Chiefs in the past fortnight as an outbreak within the playing side saw them have to cancel their much-anticipated Champions Cup trip to Toulouse.

Baxter is confident the outbreak has now been isolated and that his team can resume their Premiership campaign – where they have started with a flawless three wins from three – with a big performance against the visiting Cherry & Whites.

“The one thing I remember from when we played them last in lockdown was just how tough they were,” warned Baxter. “It was a changed-up Gloucester team, but they were very physical, very committed and they challenged us in numerous ways. As an opponent, we have to acknowledge those things.

“You only have to look at the way they came back against a top European side in Ulster last weekend to see they have a bit about them. You can see they have a bit of believe in themselves, they look as though they are enjoying their rugby, so that makes them dangerous. What we have to make sure we do is show all those features in a great abundance than them.”

So far this season the Chiefs have shown they are exceeding their rivals in all departments, having collected maximum hauls against Harlequins, Bath and Leicester Tigers (all in the Premiership) and Glasgow Warriors (in the Champions Cup).

Across all facets of play, Baxter is clearly delighted with what he is seeing from his players

“The lads are driving all of that,” he added. “As I said, the attitude across the squad is good. What they are doing in terms of the quality of our attack, plus the quality of our decision-making, is in turn helping aid our defence. Discipline is also a massive part of that as well, so the lads need to be credited for what they have been doing in helping creating that foundation from which we can build each performance.”