Home Semi-Final “isn’t be all and end all” According to Rob Baxter

Exeter took a huge step towards a home semi-final with a bonus point win at Harlequins but Rob Baxter was quick to remind everyone that playing at Sandy Park “isn’t the be all and end all”.

A five points haul was enough to move Exeter level on points with Wasps at the top of the Aviva Premiership with Dai Young’s side set to play Bristol on Sunday.

The win puts daylight between them and third-placed Saracens who remain six points adrift of Chiefs as Exeter hunt a second successive home semi-final.

It was at Sandy Park that they secured their place in last year’s final with a 34-23 win over Wasps, but Baxter has calmed the idea that his Exeter side need to play at their Devon base.

“I just think that it’s important to remember across your season, if you get so emotionally attached to a home semi-final then you’re losing the battle already.

“For us is about turning up each week and we’ve been on a good run now without losing and why can’t that continue. Half of those games have been away from home and it has not been a big issue for us.  

“I’m not going to put so much pressure on the players that every time they walk on the field they feel like they’ve got to get a five-point win or everything is wrong. Any win today would have been a fantastic win for us.”

Both Wasps and Saracens have visited the west country this season with Exeter failing to win on either occasion, suggesting that Baxter may be right to belittle the need for a showdown at home.

“It isn’t the be all and end all. It is good – you want to play in front of your own supporters. Statistically it gives you a better chance of winning, financially it’s great and that is probably one of the most important things but it isn’t the be all and end all.

“You’ve got to (back yourselves to win away) we’ve been to Saracens away and won before, albeit in not such a high-profile game, but we went there and drew this year. It is exactly the same, Saracens will be very comfortable going away, coming to Exeter – I hope that is the way it happens but it isn’t a huge issue.”

Exeter will not have four days off before they return to training. The Aviva Premiership takes a break next weekend with the European semi-finals taking place and Baxter said his side will use the time to fine tune their performances

“We’ve got a few things we need to address in our game because we’re not a perfect side and we’re not playing fantastically great flowing rugby. We’ve thrown another intercept today and given away a few easy points but we are working hard.

“I still think there’s a bit more in us, I think there is a little bit of quality we can still add, but of control and composure but that will come.”

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