Euro talk banned in Exeter

Exeter will head to Paris next Thursday for a first-ever appearance in the Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals. But before that Baxter's in-form side have an equally important domestic assignment to complete.

With just four top flight games remaining, the Devon club are fifth spot and just two points adrift of the play-off places.
But assistant coach Ali Hepher has urged the Chiefs to keep their feet on the ground.

"We're not really looking back at what has happened, we are looking at what is in the future and that's really exciting at the minute," said Hepher.

"The guys have put in some cracking performances over the last few weeks and they are getting just rewards for their hard work.

"They have put a lot of effort into their self-improvement and you can see that coming through in a lot of their play. As far as we are concerned it's another game, it's an important game and we just have to attack it.

"All we are really worried about is not performing and that's how we are going to approach the game."

The Chiefs are very much alive on two fronts and still have two chances to qualify for the Heineken Cup for the first time in their history.

They face Stade Francais in a mouth-watering clash on April 5 but while Hepher insists Exeter are excited about their trip to Paris they will take it just one game at a time.

"It's where you want to be at the end of the season," added Hepher.

"You don't want to be playing dead games. We are excited about the opportunity we can grab here and we are very much looking at the next game. Stade Francais will look after itself.

"As far as we are concerned the guys are fully focused about this weekend as we have some vitally important league points on offer. If we get a good level of performance, then I know we are capable of getting those points.

"There's no chance of complacency. We haven't even talked about that game because we're fully focused on playing a top Premiership side this weekend."

Meanwhile No8 Richard Baxter, brother of head coach Rob, will make his 400th appearance for the Chiefs against the Exiles after making his debut for the club some 15 years ago.

The big ball-carrier admitted he felt honoured to have been part of Exeter's journey from playing in the English second division to the Aviva Premiership and Amlin Challenge Cup.

"The club has taken me on an incredible journey," said Baxter.

"After my first couple of years playing I could see the club were always progressing and wanting to progress and I'm just pleased to have been part of that.

"My aspiration was always to play in the Premiership, but whether it was going to be with Exeter I wasn't always sure about. I could see the club were ambitious; I had family down here and deep down I wanted to do it with Exeter, so it was nice to do that in the end.

"Being in the Premiership now, it means a lot to me. It's been a part of my life for 15 years, not just my life but my family's life as well.

"To be able to run out and play for Exeter in any game is always very special and it's something I shouldn't just treasure, but all the guys here should treasure it because it's special time for us all."



Exeter Chiefs side to face London Irish:

Phil Dollman; Gonzalo Camacho,Bryan Rennie, Jason Shoemark, Matt Jess; Ignacio Mieres, Haydn Thomas; Hoani Tui, Chris Whitehead, Craig Mitchell, Tom Hayes (capt), James Hanks, Tom Johnson, James Scaysbrook, Richard Baxter

Replacements: Neil Clark, Ben Moon, Chris Budgen, Aly Muldowney, Ben White, Kevin Barrett, Gareth Steenson, Sireli Naqelevuki