Baxter pays tribute to club talisman
Dec
Exeter Chiefs No 8 Richie Baxter looks likely to notch up his 300th league appearance after being named in the squad for Saturday’s game against London Welsh (KO 1.45pm).
Head coach Rob Baxter said today: “It’s a fantastic achievement. Richie has played for one club all his life and played at a high level for all those seasons. He is the club’s most consistent performer ever. It only took him a season to establish himself and he has grown and thrived through semi-professional and professional rugby.
“I would not say he’s a stalwart though but more of a talisman. Richie’s work ethic and work rate stands him up there. He is one of those guys who epitomises what we want at Exeter Chiefs.”
Coach Baxter though had less glowing words for other members of the team that was beaten by Bristol on Sunday.
He added: “I was disappointed after the game. I think when you break the game down individually we had some pretty average performances from quite a few players.
“Desperation to win is an attribute you expect to see in all players and we did not see that right across the board.
“To be fair, a lot of players have held their hands up. Some guys have paid the price in selection, some are lucky to be there and some are pretty unfortunate not to be there.”
Baxter will name his side on Saturday. Neil Clark will miss out due to a head injury he suffered on Sunday and James Hanks is still unwell. In addition, Simon Alcott underwent surgery on a bicep tendon tear yesterday.
London Welsh v Exeter Chiefs
Saturday, January 2, 2009 – KO 1.45pm (Please note new kick-off time)
Old Deer Park
Forwards: Richie Baxter, Chris Bentley, Sam Blythe, Chris Budgen, Dave Gannon, Tom Hayes, Tom Johnson, Ben Moon, Saul Nelson, James Scaysbrook, Chad Slade, Brett Sturgess & Hoani Tui.
Backs: Tom Bedford, Phil Dollman, Mark Foster, Danny Gray, Matt Jess, Paul McKenzie, Nic Sestaret, Gareth Steenson, Clive Stuart-Smith, Haydn Thomas & TBC.
