Chiefs beat Gloucester

First game since covid outbreak

Exeter Chiefs beat Gloucester in their final match of 2020 at Sandy Park to stay top of the Premiership with maximum points after four rounds.

It's the first game since a covid outbreak hit the camp, something which director of rugby Rob Baxter says is now contained.

“We will have a pretty strong squad to pick from based on players who have completed their isolation and guys who have now tested negative three times in a row,” said Baxter. “We’re actually doubling up all our testing beyond that required by Premiership Rugby."

Baxter says they will need to be at their very best to tackle Gloucester, whose tails will be up following last weekend’s home win over Ulster in the European Champions Cup. “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).

“The lads are driving all of that,” Baxter 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.” Fly half Joe Simmonds will be captain.

THE Boxing Day SQUAD

15 Stuart Hogg
14 Olly Woodburn
13 Ian Whitten
12 Ollie Devoto
11 Tom O’Flaherty
10 Joe Simmonds (capt)
9 Jack Maunder
1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Harry Williams
4 Jonny Gray
5 Sam Skinner
6 Dave Ewers
7 Jannes Kirsten
8 Sam Simmonds

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Marcus Street
19 Don Armand
20 Richard Capstick
21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne
22 Harvey Skinner
23 Tom Hendrickson