Clermont have made just one enforced change to their starting XV for Saturday's Heineken Cup clash with Exeter Chiefs.
With Nathan Hines serving a six-week suspension, French international Julien Pierre is called into the second-row.
The Chiefs suffered a narrow 9-6 defeat to the European champions Leinster in their first Heineken Cup game last weekend. It was a stunning performance as the newcomers were the first team to prevent Leinster from reaching double figures in the Heineken Cup for 26 matches.
Buoyed by their impressive display in Dublin, head coach Baxter has resisted the temptation to tinker too much with his line-up.
Indeed, the Exeter coach has made just one change in personnel with Australian international Dean Mumm handed his first European start in place of James Hanks, who trades places with the second-row on the bench.
Exeter have won their last five European fixtures (in the Challenge Cup) at Sandy Park but Clermont have lost just one of their last five Heineken Cup encounters: 15-19 to Leinster in last season's semi-final.
"[Clermont] have got strength in different areas to Leinster," said Baxter.
"But what you have to remember as well is there were 11 or 12 internationals featuring in the Leinster team last week, so you're not talking about a shoddy Leinster side, and sometimes people forget that.
"Clermont we know have more internationals in their squad, but they still have to come to Sandy Park, they still have to endure the rigours of travelling over here, to a ground they've not played at before either. We know we are a good team at home, so if we make the game about ourselves, then that's what we will do.
"All week we've talked about being the team that attacks; being the team that has the ball; and seeing what we can get out of the game. Certainly we are going to attack the game, look to score tries and see what comes from it."
The teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Ian Whitten, 13 Phil Dollman, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Gareth Steenson, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Dean Mumm, 4 Tom Hayes, 3 Carl Rimmer, 2 Simon Alcott, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements:16 Chris Whitehead, 17 Chris Budgen, 18 Ben Moon, 19 James Hanks, 20 Ally Muldowney, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Ignacio Mieres, 23 Sireli Naqelevuki.
Clermont Auvergne: 15 Lee Byrne, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Aurélien Rougerie, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Brock James, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Gerhard Vosloo, 5 Julien Pierre, 4 Jamie Cudmore, 3 Davit Zirakashvili, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Daniel Kotze, 19 Loic Jacquet, 20 Elvis Vermeulen, 21 Ludovic Radoslavjevic , 22 David Skrela, 23 Benson Stanley.
Date: Saturday, October 20
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter
Kick-off: 18:00 BST (17:00 GMT)
Referee: John Lacey
Comments
ArmchairGeneral says...
Melkdave: don't agree. Exeter were passing a lot yes but all the running was forward into good Leinster defence. Exeter were better. Surprised they didn't win. If a few things had gone their way: If Isa had not tripped their break away opportunity or at least got yellow it deserved. Leinster also threw the ball over their dead ball line and yet got the 22 dropout?? And then the missed Exeter kicks. Exeter are up there with Leicester Quins Leinster Sarries. Agree they made few off loads but when they did it didn't work. Against Leinster better to hold on and go for phases. They had the right game plan and executed... It just didn't go their way on the scoreboard this time. Great game! Best pool in my view.
Posted 15:28 20th October 2012
TVaddict says...
On paper it looks like there's only going to be one team in it but Chiefs have a way of humbling big teams, especially at home.
Posted 12:49 19th October 2012
melkdave says...
Exeter so unlucky last weekend against Leinster,but they where toside to side ,and not direct enough imo.Really needed runners breaking through the defencive line ,then the offload to the side.But hey 1st game and against the reining champs ,so didnt do to badly .Against Clearmont its going to take the same commitment ,and more dirct running with offloads,than they did against Leinster,also maybe just a tad more off the line speed aswell,to get in Clearmonts facres that fraction quicker.
Posted 12:36 19th October 2012