Exeter host Leicester this weekend in a match that is set to be, according to Rob Baxter, an ‘acid test.’
Exeter has had a good start to the season with 13 tries scored, leading the table with the second best five behind them. The Chiefs have not been beaten at Sandy Park since round two of last season.
However, Leicester’s away record is equally strong with their only defeat away from home since January of this year at the hands of Saracens. In the last 6 meetings between the teams, Leicester has come away victorious every time.
Baxter stated that: “We have a great deal of respect for Leicester, but the way you respect a team is by going at them as hard as you can and that will be our mantra for this week.”
The Tigers have certainly had a trickier start to the season coming up against Harlequins and Wasps, but Baxter’s team is going into the game with some form players. With the return of Jack Nowell and Thomas Waldrom the ranks will be reinforced, furthermore Gareth Steenson has recently made statements about the improvement he has seen from Henry Slade having been a part of the Rugby World Cup campaign.
Yet a few players will miss the game, with Campagnaro still yet to make his debut and Geoff Parling sidelined with an injury, denying him the chance to face his old team.
Both teams know that this game is going to be won or lost up front, a game fought in the trenches. The impressive front-row line ups will be evenly matched with Fraser Balmain stating that they cannot afford to give Exeter a platform for their, “dangerous attacking play.”
Balmain will be coming up against Tomas Francis, which should be a head to head to keep an eye on. The impressive performances of the two opposing back rows will also be a war waged all over the pitch with the likes of Ewers, Armond and Waldrom Leicester will have to be on top of them from the start if they hope to win.
The Tigers have conceded only 3 tries this season, with this in mind it is set to be an intriguing game, with the impressive defensive wall of Leicester up against the attacking flair of Exeter. Kick-off is at 5:30 from Sandy Park, live on BT Sport.
Prediction: Leicester Tigers win.
