The 'very standard, boring message' from Baxter on Exeter vs Wasps

Rob Baxter has batted away speculation over the status of next Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership fixture where rejuvenated Exeter are scheduled to host the financially troubled Wasps at Sandy Park. Just two years ago the clubs were contesting the behind-closed-doors tournament final at Twickenham. Now there are concerns that this latest match could be in jeopardy after the Coventry-based club made a second filing to the courts last weekend to appoint administrators.

That deadline is set to soon run out, with even BT Sport presenter Craig Doyle suggesting during last weekend’s broadcast coverage of the Premiership that the Chiefs game could be in doubt. Exeter have already been in this situation this season, preparing for a match with a cloud hanging over it.

It was last month when their Sunday visit to Sixways was only given the green light 48 hours in advance by Premiership Rugby. However, the result of that game soon had an asterisk attached as Worcester were suspended from seeing out the remainder of the 2022/23 campaign and were automatically relegated to the Championship.

Now there are fears about whether Wasps have the financial ability to get themselves through the 2022/23 season, but Baxter has insisted it is business as usual on the Exeter training ground ahead of the match that is still currently slated to go ahead on Saturday afternoon in Devon.

Asked at his midweek Exeter media briefing for his thoughts on the speculation the game might fall by the wayside, Baxter said: “It is a very standard, boring message you will hear from me at any stage in these scenarios, we will just prepare as if the game is on. That is all we can do.

“The thing that is making everyone wonder what is happening is the deadline around that second ten-day extension kind of drops over that Friday, Saturday period doesn’t it? Everyone is lurking around going, what does that mean? Does that mean the administration deadline passes, the clock ticks to zero so to speak, does that mean that’s it and you go into administration and games don’t happen?

“That is what is creating concern around the game. For us, we can’t approach it like that. We have just got to go what is the reality, Wasps are down there getting ready to come and play us. They are going to be getting on a bus and travelling on Friday. They are going to be turning up to play a game of rugby and that is what we have got to do.

“That is the long and the short of it around the rugby prep. As to what will be will be around the administration process, that is for other people than me to worry about at this stage.”

Asked if given his position as director of rugby if he was in any direct contact with Wasps regarding the match, Baxter added: “I’ll be honest with you. If that is going on with Premiership Rugby that would be Tony (Rowe, the Exeter owner) dealing with it. It wouldn’t be something that I am actively involved in. If it is raised I wouldn’t like to say because it would be me talking a little bit out of ignorance.”

It was then put to Baxter that the ten-day deadline that Wasps have covered working days, according to the Coventry club’s beat newspaper reporter, Baxter said: “That kind of removes a fair bit of the concerns around the game being on or off. It is going to be on and we are going to get on with it and whatever decisions getting made will happen next week.”