Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter thinks that their round 18 game against Saracens could come down to a winner takes all game.
“Not gonna run away from it”
Baxter was speaking with TNT Sports, after Exeter’s 35-12 win over Bath. The final round of games sees Exeter, currently in fourth and the playoffs, take on Saracens, currently just outside the playoffs in sixth, at Sandy Park.
Baxter said “You can’t see it not meaning something to one of us because that just looks how it’s going to shape up. If we get to that stage and that’s a winner takes all to get into the top four, it’ll make it a great huge occasion here at Sandy Park.”
Exeter have the harder run into the end of the season. After the Harlequins game, they travel to Leicester and then have Saracens at home. Exeter will also have to find some form. Sunday’s Round 15 win over Bath was their first in three games.
Saracens, on the other hand, have two sides near the bottom of the table, with Gloucester and Harlequins travelling to the Stone X Stadium, then that trip to Sandy Park. Saracens are also in a bit of form, as they have won their last three games to keep themselves in touch with the play offs.
About that clash with Saracens, Baxter said ” I mean Saracens would love to knock us out and we’d love to knock Saracens out. I’m not gonna run away from it because that’s the truth. It’s a mini final amongst the finals I suppose, isn’t it?”
Remaining Fixtures
| Round | Exeter Chiefs (4th 54 pts) | Saracens (6th 47 pts) |
| 16 | Harlequins (A) (9th) | Gloucester (H) (8th) |
| 17 | Leicester Tigers (A) (3rd) | Harlequins (H) (9th) |
| 18 | Saracens (H) (6th) | Exeter Chiefs (A) (4th) |
The end of the season is really heating up as the race of the play-offs continues. Even the race for first place isn’t over yet, as Northampton Saints lost as well as Bath. There is currently eight points between Saints at the top and Exeter in fourth.
