Northern | US

'I think in a lot of ways it was destined to end like this': Rob Baxter


EXETER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 25: Exeter Chiefs' Director of Rugby Rob Baxter during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Saracens at Sandy Park on January 25, 2025 in Exeter, England. (Photo by Bob Bradford - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Comments
Comment

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter believes that it was written in the stars that their final home game of the season would be a winner-takes-all clash against Saracens for the final place in the end-of-season play-offs.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Chiefs are bidding for a top four finish for the first time in five years against the team that, between 2016 and 2019, beat them in three Premiership finals out of four to kick start an unlikely rivalry.

The Chiefs, who inflicted a first home defeat for Leicester Tigers since March 2025 on Sunday, leapt back into fourth place in the Prem table, three points clear of fifth-placed Saracens, who will wave goodbye to boss Mark McCall at the end of the season.

VIDEO

And Baxter told TNT Sport after the win at Welford Road that these must-win games are ideal preparation for his side if they want to return to their trophy-winning glory days from the last decade.

“I think in a lot of ways it was destined to end like this. Three or four weeks ago. I said to a few people, I just cannot see any way we are going to get to the Saracens game, and it’s not going to be a big game for both of us.

“And that’s how it’s ended. It’s probably great for rugby, and it’s good for us because it concentrates our minds. You know, if we get to a semi-final, it’s going to be away. Do we want to be involved in big games and getting prepared for it.“Or do we want dead rubbers?

“For me, having to come to Welford Road and having to get points, playing next week and having to win, I think that’s the best prep for us if we are going to have any chance in a semi-final or final.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Because we are going to have to do something like we have done today: come away to a team that’s unlikely to lose, that’s what the stats say. And we have got to do something special,” he said.

Related

RugbyPass App Download

News, stats, live rugby and more! Download the new RugbyPass app on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android) now!


Whether you’re looking for somewhere to track upcoming fixtures, a place to watch live rugby or an app that shows you all of the latest news and analysis, the RugbyPass rugby app is perfect.

ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video
LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

Close Panel
Close Panel

Edition & Time Zone

{{current.name}}
Set time zone automatically
{{selectedTimezoneTitle}} (auto)
Choose a different time zone
Close Panel

Editions

Close Panel

Change Time Zone

Close
ADVERTISEMENT
Copied to clipboard

Share Article close