Rob Baxter: 'Knocked around' Exeter Chiefs dominated Tigers upfront

Exeter forwards coach Ross McMillan felt his side were always up for the challenge after seeing them pull off an impressive 35-26 victory over Gallagher Prem play-off rivals Leicester at Welford Road.

Third-placed Exeter picked up a valuable five points, leaving them three points in front of the fourth-placed Saracens ahead of their clash next Saturday at Sandy Park.

Leicester lost ground in their attempt to secure a home semi-final as Henry Slade’s last-minute penalty prevented them from taking anything from the match, but they are still safely into the play-offs with Saracens unable to overtake them.

McMillan said: “We were frustrated by our performance at Harlequins last week, but throughout the season every time we’ve had a setback we’ve bounced back.

“The tight squad have great character and have always responded when they’ve been knocked around a bit.

Gallagher Premiership

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Northampton

17

14

2

1

72

2

Bath

17

12

5

0

64

3

Leicester

17

12

5

0

62

4

Exeter Chiefs

17

10

6

1

60

5

Saracens

17

10

7

0

57

6

Bristol

17

11

6

0

54

7

Sale

17

4

13

0

31

8

Gloucester

17

4

13

0

27

9

Harlequins

17

5

12

0

26

10

Newcastle

17

2

15

0

12

“We knew it would be a tough challenge from the outset but the boys took it on board and I loved the battles that went on today, especially the scraps on the floor and in the air as possession of that ball is vital.

“The Leicester pack are used to dominating sides here so I’m incredibly proud at how we fronted up to them.”

Exeter were deserved winners by scoring four tries to three. Two came from Olly Woodburn with Len Ikitau and Andrea Zambonin also on the scoresheet, while Slade kicked three penalties and three conversions.

Leicester’s tries came from George Pearson, Olly Cracknell and Charlie Clare and Orlando Bailey added three penalties and a conversion.

Leicester will now need to win at Bath’s Recreation Ground next Saturday if they are to have any chance of a home semi-final.

Leicester’s director of rugby and former Exeter player Geoff Parling said: “Our set-piece wasn’t good enough today and we didn’t take our chances.

“We were frustrated by our inaccuracy and that led to us being not physical enough.

“In a game of fine margins, you have to take your chances and we didn’t finish two obvious ones in the corner.

“It’s never nice to lose in front of your fans but it doesn’t change anything for next week as our task remains the same.

“We’ve got six days to rebuild and we know what’s riding on it. We are up against a very physical team but unfortunately Freddie Steward won’t be fit in time for it.”