1
'It would be a lie if I didn't say there were some markers we wanted to put down'
By Liam Heagney
Gallagher Premiership fans worried that the top-flight in England could suffer this season without having the rivalry of Exeter versus Saracens to keep them entertained could well have an alternative rivalry to savour - Exeter against their nearest geographical rivals Bristol, who visit Sandy Park on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash.
Both teams are running joint first on the ladder with 20 points apiece after four wins from five outings and there is every indication that this latest meeting will be just as close as fixtures in recent years since Bristol returned to the Premiership following a season in the Championship.
The margins in their last four games have been tight - 3, 3, 5 and 2 points, with Exeter taking the spoils on three occasions to Bristol's one. Now they meet with first place on the table at stake and Exeter boss Rob Baxter can't wait to see how it all pans out.
"It wouldn't be sport if there weren't rivalries and there weren't people looking at each other and going this is a big game," he enthused. "Exeter against Bristol, if you look at the last couple of seasons and last season in particular, is a big game.
"Both teams will certainly want to make some kind of a statement but the biggest statement we both want to make is we show we can beat each other. That is the reality. You want to show that which is why Wasps' win last week was a big win for them.
"That last game they played against us they lost in the final and they wanted to put down a marker that they could beat Exeter Chiefs and they did that very well. For us, 100 per cent we want to put down a marker that we can beat Bristol here at Sandy Park.
"Interestingly enough they came to Sandy Park last year and beat us early in the season but then we went to their place and beat them. These things, they have that edge and a bit of spice and it would be a lie if I didn't say there were some markers we wanted to put down. Of course, we do but that is what will make it a really good game of rugby... there is no reason why it shouldn't be a good game of rugby and hopefully, that is what it will become."
It was May 2010 when Exeter gained promotion to the Premiership at the expense of Bristol, winning a play-off final at the Memorial Ground. While the Chiefs have used the past decade to go on and become a leading force in the game, culminating in October's Premiership and Champions Cup double, it wasn't until Pat Lam took over and returned Bristol to the Premiership in 2018 that they began to take impressive strides.
Baxter has been impressed with their attitude, Bristol joining the Premiership with the view to achieving great things rather looking over their shoulder and playing with the fear of relegation. "I always felt that it was time in the Premiership that helped us more than anything else," said Baxter, reflecting on how Chiefs developed when they were first promoted.
"So actually the single most important thing for us to become better in our first year or two in the Premiership was staying there and not just staying there, but staying there with a confidence relatively early in the season that you weren't going to be relegated because that is how you progress.
"What stops you progressing more as a team than anything else is that looking over your shoulder, worrying about where the next result is coming, where the next points are coming, and what Bristol have managed to do very well is remove those doubts quite quickly.
"That is what allows you to progress quickly because you then develop your game and develop things without that threat and fear. Bristol settled in very quickly when they got back in the Premiership and that is allowing them to develop and work on aspects of their game.
"They are a team that can score points very quickly if you get things wrong but Newcastle showed last weekend they have got some weaknesses you can exploit if you play well and Wasps showed the same with us."
THE CHIEFS-BEARS RIVALRY
August 2019: Bristol 22 Exeter 25
November 2019: Exeter 17 Bristol 20
January 2019: Exeter 14 Bristol 9
November 2018: Bristol 29 Exeter 31
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Fabien Galthie's emphatic World Cup statement after Six Nations win
3
Four England talking points after their Six Nations rout of Wales
4
What Steve Borthwick told Matt Sherratt following Wales debacle
5
Latest Comments
Bring Back Ex Lover, Lost Love Spell Caster, Voodoo love spell in UK, Belfast, Lord Howe Island, Victoria, Sydney, Brisbane, Botswana , Alabama Are you looking for the best help? Have you been searching all over to find a professional and real African traditional herbalist/spell caster? If your answer to these questions is “YES”, then you have come to the right place! We are determined to offer exactly what you’re seeking: Fast and everlasting results! From love spells to money spells, we provide the most authentic spells you’ve ever encountered. I am an Expert Spell Caster, I have learned all my works from my ancestors and forefathers who were also into these religious areas. With spiritual help, ancestral powers and spiritual guidance we can cure an individual and carry beneficial efforts in his or her lifestyle. It is also possible to eliminate any kind of adverse power and to cure.Also if you have any kind of real query in your thoughts, you can always email me with all your concerns or issues and I will be directing you in the best way I can. https://www.specialspellz.com EX Back Spell This spell is for those of you that have lost your lover and can’t seem to find yourself moving on with life without them. My Ex Back Spell will return that person to you. My EX Back spell is my most popular spell and has helped many people win back the heart of their lover. Soul Mate Spell Are you tired of spending your life without love; every date that you go on you never seem to have that magical connection with any of them? You see other couples having a good time together but all you have to look forward to is the microwave meal waiting for you in the freezer. Everyone has a soul mate out there for them and I would strongly encourage you with my Soul Mate Spell so that the two of you can cross paths sooner. My Soul Mate Spell has opened a new life to many and it can do the same for you. Breakup and Come Back To Me Spell Have you lost your lover to another person and they are happy in the arms of another person but you still love them and want them back then you need to break up and come back to me spell. This spell is broken down into two spell castings, one being I have to vanish the new lover in your special person’s life and the second being I will have to cast a spell of guidance over them so they find their way back to your loving heart. Marriage Spell Are you waiting for your soul Mate to ask for your hand in marriage but they don’t seem to be seeing all the signs you are showing them. You just want them to see that there is a future with you in the long term. My Marriage spell will make them dream of a married life with you, this spell will give your lover the energy boost it needs to ask for your hand in marriage; just don’t forget to invite me as you see the results of this spell manifesting. All my spells are genuinely proven .No spell has ever failed to bring about the desired effects. Best spells ever from the best experienced spell caster. We help where others have failed. It's your chance to regain your happiness only through Mama Kenzo's Powerful and fast Spells. Check from my list below and point to your problem. However, even if your problem does not fall in the category below, don’t hesitate to email it to us, we shall venture into it and our experience will of course cut open your problem and solve it. • Relationship problem solution/husband wife problem solution/get back lost lover • Work related problems/get promoted at your work/win work hearing • Win bonds/Tenders/contracts/loans within 12 hours • Criminal matters/legal matters/court cases/divorce cases • Lottery wins/ lotto/horses/soccer big wins/ all gambling activates • Body cleansing/property cleansing/ business cleansing. • Business promotion/sales promotion/ customer attraction. • Unfinished jobs by other doctors/ Delayed jobs/ failed jobs. • Magic ring/ magic wallet/ magic stick for wealth and marriage. • Spells for getting married to the lover of your life. • Spells for love, victory and sympathy. • Fix broken marriage, relationships and finding a missing person. • Spells for getting job/employment/higher pay/job protection. • Spells for loan repayment/debts and financial problems. • Expert in destroying effects of black magic/evil witchcraft. • Getting rid of the effects of evil eyes/ evil spirits. • Fertility medicines/ impregnation of a woman/birth medicine. • Spells for release of a captive/prisoner in 12 hours. • Spells for fulfillment of any need within. Contact Prof Mama Kenzo +27734863310 VISIT: https://www.specialspellz.com EMAIL: Profmamakenzo10@gmail.com
Go to commentsMy trademark JD!
Go to comments