Rob Baxter urges his Exeter Chiefs to kick off with a bang once again in opening European Cup game against Glasgow as first-time champions seek back-to-back glory
- Exeter Chiefs coach Rob Baxter wants ‘the same energy’ from his side this year
- The Chiefs seek a second European Cup crown to become back-to-back winners
- Exeter start their defence against Glasgow with many international players back
Exeter Chiefs want to emulate their flying start to the European Cup from last season, which propelled them to a first continental crown.
Kicking off the tournament in 2019 the Chiefs won away at La Rochelle and now in their quest to go back-to-back in Europe their boss Rob Baxter has challenged his side to raise their game again.
Exeter face Glasgow tomorrow and are expected to fly the flag for England once more. ‘We want to approach this with the same energy and excitement as last season,’ said Baxter.
Rob Baxter has urged his Exeter Chiefs to go after a second European Cup crown this season
The Chiefs (pictured) open this year’s tournament against Glasgow and Baxter wants a win
‘Last year La Rochelle really laid down a marker for everything we did. We want the same kind of performance. We’ve played well running into the European Cup, and have our internationals dropping straight into it.
‘All the internationals have contacted me over the past few weeks and said they want to be involved and do well in these European games and have all turned up ready to go.’
The format of the tournament has changed this year to cram in 24 teams, up from the usual 20. Sides play four pool matches – against two sides home and away – as part of two 12-team conferences. The top four from each conference will contest the quarter-finals.
Exeter cruised to a 35-13 victory against Leicester Tigers in the Premiership last weekend
Baxter is not fazed by the new set-up.
‘The reality is most teams go undefeated, or have one slip up, if they win it. You have to go well from the start,’ he added.
Eight English sides are in the initial stages. Bristol play Clermont today (SAT), Sale go to Toulon for their first match in 10 years without boss Steve Diamond, Bath play the Scarlets and Wasps travel to the Dragons.
Exeter won their first European Cup in October, claiming a tight 31-27 victory over Racing 92
On Sunday Gloucester play Lyon away as Harlequins face a daunting trip to Munster.
Bristol won the second-tier Challenge Cup in October, but are back in the main competition for the first time in 12 years hunting the big one.
‘I don’t want us to be a club which just gets into Europe and are happy to be in it,’ said boss Pat Lam. ‘We have got to go after the star, go after the trophy.’