Rob Baxter rooting for an England recall for star back-rower

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter admits that he takes it very personally when one of his players is dumped by England, and Ethan Roots is one such example.

The Aucklander won four caps in the 2024 Six Nations, and despite being named man of the match on his debut against Italy, hasn’t featured in any Steve Borthwick squad.

Roots, 27, qualifies for England through his Reading-born mother, and Baxter is on a mission to get him back into Borthwick’s plans as soon as possible.

“I take it very personally when guys like him drop out of England squads. I’ve said to him Trust me and trust where we are trying to go as a team. Let’s work very hard at it together.

“I take it very personally to get guys into international rugby. People think that’s a bit odd because it can hurt you a little bit as a team, but the reality is I ask these guys to come to Exeter and give everything they can.

“Ethan knows where I stand. I want to get him back into that squad. It feels like we are getting that understanding again about what we can do for each other,” he said.

Roots has been outstanding for the Chiefs this season and used Sunday’s win over Harlequins in front of a national audience to stake his claim for another chance on the big stage with another man-of-the-match performance.

Baxter believes that even if he doesn’t force his way into Borthwick’s senior squad, then the least he deserves is a run out for England A against an All Blacks XV at Bath on November 5th.

“The reality is, and I say this to the lads all the time. If you want to be successful individually. You have to be successful collectively. And I know people don’t always understand that.

“But what it means is. You end up with more players in international squads when you are in the top four of the Premiership and you do in the bottom two.

“The reason for that is the team are playing better which means the individual’s are playing better but you all look like you are on form and look like you are confident. You make less mistakes and don’t give away silly pressure penalties.

“Everybody can see that quality rather than find the faults. Ethan has worked extremely hard in pre-season. He is a key member of the squad and is driving all the correct messages on how we want to play.

“He is playing with great physicality and discipline at the same time, which is tough to accomplish, but he is doing it. That puts him back into the eye, and I don’t think it will be long before you see him there or thereabouts,” he added.