Exeter Chiefs: 'It’s something we’ve got to talk about now'

Exeter Chiefs are making a point of keeping their unbeaten home run intact as they prepare to face Cardiff in their final EPCR Challenge Cup pool match this weekend.

Chiefs are gone unbeaten at Sandy Park so far this season on all competitions.

DoR Rob Baxter said securing a home round of 16 tie is now a clear priority, stressing the need to re-establish standards following last weekend’s defeat to Stade Francais in Paris.

“We’ve looked at the areas of our game we can address to be better in following on from our performance against Stade Francais, things like discipline and different areas around our set piece, to get us back on track,” Baxter said.

Paul Brown-Bampoe starts again after scoring on his return last week, while scrum-half Stephen Varney is restored to the starting XV following a short injury lay-off. Varney resumes his partnership with Harvey Skinner, with Will Haydon-Wood moving into the centre alongside Henry Slade.

Fixture

Challenge Cup

Exeter Chiefs

05:00

18 Jan 26

Cardiff Rugby

All Stats and Data

In the pack, Scott Sio, Joseph Dweba and Bachuki Tchumbadze combine in the front row, while match captain Dafydd Jenkins partners Andrea Zambonin in the second row. Kane James comes in at number eight with Greg Fisilau rested, joining Tom Hooper and Ethan Roots in the back row.

Baxter expects a stern test from Cardiff, particularly around the breakdown. “They move the ball well and when they get momentum in a game, they look very dangerous,” he said. “They’re having one of those seasons where they can challenge anybody, but we are as well, so that should create a really good game.”

He added that maintaining Exeter’s home form remains central to their wider ambitions. “For lots of different reasons, getting a home round of 16 draw is really important… It’s something we’ve got to talk about now, that nobody comes to Sandy Park and gets easy points, easy metres or easy tries.”