Preview: Exeter v Wasps
Exeter Chiefs will look to bounce back from last week's narrow defeat to Bath, with a home win against Wasps on Sunday.
With Exeter Chiefs back on home soil for the first time in a fortnight, coach Rob Baxter is hoping his players can put to one side the disappointment of last weekend's narrow loss at Bath and hit back with victory against Wasps.
Sat in second spot after two wins from three fixtures so far, the Chiefs are well aware of the threat posed by Wasps, a side they defeated 21-8 in their final league game of last season.
“We're expecting a tough game,” admitted Baxter.
“I think they've had a similar start to the season as us and obviously they are a bit re-invigorated what with a new coach in Dai Young coming in.
“I know it sounds strange and I keep saying it's going to be another tough game this weekend, but that is the way it is at this level. You don't get any easy games.
“Last week was disappointing, but the lessons we have learnt from Bath is that we perhaps need to focus a little bit more on ourselves and what we want to do in the game.
“We perhaps need to back ourselves that we are a good side – and if we keep the ball in an attacking perspective, we tend to damage sides and maybe that is what we need to ram home for 80 minutes this weekend.”
Baxter admits being back on home soil will be nice for both him and his side, who have already shown improvements in every fixture this year compared to that of the 2010/11 season.
“We're the side that is at home so we have to do all we can to make sure the game is all about us and what we want to do,” he said.
The challenge for Wasps, I suppose, is to prevent that and they will want to impose themselves on the game.
“However, we have spent a lot of time this week just talking about how we want to attack the game; the qualities we want to bring to it; whilst at the same time carry out a few tidy ups from last week at Bath,” explained Baxter.
A late penalty try, converted by Argentine ace Ignacio Mieres, ensured the Chiefs recorded a losing bonus point at the Recreation Ground a week ago and comes hot on the heels after victories over Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons in the opening two weeks.
“I am looking forward to Sunday and it can't come soon enough because if you feel you're in a good place, then you want to attack games and show what you can do,” said Baxter.
This week we've got a fitter squad again with the return of a few boys, so we're all raring to get into it again.”
Certainly Baxter will be buoyed by the return of Luke Arscott, Sireli Naqelevuki and younger brother Richard to the Chiefs starting XV.
All three sat out last weekend's loss at Bath, but return on Sunday in place of Phil Dollman, Bryan Rennie and James Phillips.
The trio's recall to action is a timely boost, but the Exeter coach admitted performances put in by others in their absence had made selection tough again this week.
“The guys who have come in have played well, so it has been tough to pick the side this week,” said Baxter.
“Whereas last week we were perhaps picking from 32, now it's back to say 36 players again.
“Although we've had injuries the big positives of the first three weeks has been that we have still been able to collect 10 points and the squad has rolled on relatively seamlessly, which is fantastic.
“Changing the side around has been a bit of a challenge because we were not used to it last season.
“There were only a couple of times where we had to make lots of changes, but I'm pleased how the guys have dealt with it and those who miss out this week, yes it's tough on them, but as I said we're picking from a slightly bigger group now many of whom are in great form right now.
“The pleasing thing from my perspective is that I have so many guys pushing really hard right now for a place in the side.”
Meanwhile, there are three changes to Wasps' starting team, with Bob Baker coming in to make his first start in the Premiership this season, while Richard Birkett and Riki Flutey also return to the starting XV, replacing John Hart and Chris Mayor, who are ruled out through injury.
There is also a positional shift in the team with ex All Black Ross Filipo taking the number eight shirt.
The changes in the team, see the youthful quartet of Simon McIntyre, Matt Everard. Elliot Daly and Jack Wallace all take spots on the bench – with Hugo Southwell dropping out of the 22 having failed to recover from a knock.
“The Premiership season is a long one and everyone's squad is going to be tested to the full. The younger players will be desperate to come in and make an impact and we will need them to stand up and be counted,” said Wasps coach Dai Young.
“After last weekend's game we have got to really work hard this week to prove that the first two games were a true reflection of how we play.
“Exeter are a tough team to beat, as they have shown in the early stages of this season. We know that we are going to have to play well to go down there and get a result.
“We are under no illusions about how tough it will be to get a result at Sandy Park and how good a side they can be. But we have had a very focused week and I am looking for the team to make some major improvements on last week's performance.”
Form: Exeter Chiefs lost their four match unbeaten record at Bath on Saturday, but have won three of their last four games at Sandy Park. London Wasps suffered a first defeat of the new Aviva Premiership Rugby season at home to Sale on Saturday. Wasps have not won a game at an opponents regular home ground since they visited Bath on 27 November 2010. Each side won its respective home game when the two teams met last season. Wasps have visited Sandy Park twice before in all competitions and are yet to win at the venue.
The teams:
Exeter Chiefs: 15 Luke Arscott, 14 Nic Sestaret, 13 Sireli Naqelevuki, 12 Jason Shoemark, 11 Matt Jess, 10 Ignacio Mieres, 9 Haydn Thomas, 8 Richard Baxter, 7 James Scaysbrook, 6 Tom Johnson, 5 Peter Short, 4 Tom Hayes (c), 3 Hoani Tui, 2 Chris Whitehead, 1 Brett Sturgess.
Replacements: 16 Neil Clark, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Chris Budgen, 19 Aly Muldowney, 20 Ben White, 21 Kevin Barrett, 22 Gareth Steenson, 23 Bryan Rennie.
London Wasps: 15 Richard Haughton, 14 Tom Varndell, 13 Chris Bell, 12 Riki Flutey, 11 Christian Wade, 10 Ryan Davis, 9 Nic Berry, 8 Ross Filipo, 7 Jonathan Poff, 6 Joe Launchbury, 5 Marco Wentzel, 4 Richard Birkett, 3 Bob Baker, 2 Rob Webber, 1 Tim Payne.
Replacements: 16 Tom Lindsay, 17 Jeremy Castex, 18 Simon McIntyre, 19 Joe Burton, 20 Matt Everard, 21 Jonah Holmes, 22 Elliot Daly, 23 Jack Wallace.
Date: Sunday, September 25
Venue: Sandy Park
Kick-off: 15.00 BST (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Martin Fox