Chiefs not phased by losses

VIDEO:"Mindset doesn't change" - Baxter

Exeter Chiefs are in the unusual position of being at the foot of the Premier League table, but that's not phasing director of rugby Rob Baxter.

The Chiefs against Sale is the final match of round three, and the only game to take place on Sunday. Going into the round, Bristol Bears propped up the Premiership, but that changed when they beat Bath on Friday night.

A win on Sunday will see the Chiefs move up at least two places. Baxter says the team's philosophy hasn't changed, despite three defeats I a row.

“I’ll tell you what I said to the players, which is we could easily have won that game last week had we been fractionally better in what we did,” he said. “Had we won, we would be in a position of one win from two and feeling pretty good about ourselves.

He continued: “This week we’ve looked at the good and we’ve looked at the bad and now we just have to get on with things. As always, we’re a side that never gets heartbroken by a loss, nor are we a side who over celebrate a win. That mindset can’t change because once you become a side full of highs and lows, then you’re a team that doesn’t go anywhere.

“Even in our double-winning season, we lost games of rugby, so we just have to pull our boot straps up, get on with things and not look to feel sorry for ourselves.”

The Chiefs started the new season short of some key players because of unavailability or injury. But now Dave Ewers (thumb injury) and Richard Capstick (hamstring) are back in the starting line-up to face Sale on Sunday. Scotland captain Stuart Hogg returns to the pitch too.

England and British Lions trio Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jonny Hill and Sam Simmonds will be made available from next week.

Joe Simmonds is on the replacements' list, with Harvey Skinner starting at fly-half.