Exe vs Lyon - Sat - 17.30

[twitchy]

Very tough fixture for an off form exe in my opinion.

[Oakboy]

At least they have close to a first choice starting XV.

[Banquo]

At least they have close to a first choice starting XV.

Yep, they haven't had much in the way of locks for a while, nor Henry Slade and Cowan Dickie who are very influential at club level. Plus Yeandle was out and he's a force too.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

At least they have close to a first choice starting XV.

Yep, they haven't had much in the way of locks for a while, nor Henry Slade and Cowan Dickie who are very influential at club level. Plus Yeandle was out and he's a force too.

Their skill levels have been below par this season imo across the team.

[Banquo]

At least they have close to a first choice starting XV.

Yep, they haven't had much in the way of locks for a while, nor Henry Slade and Cowan Dickie who are very influential at club level. Plus Yeandle was out and he's a force too.

Their skill levels have been below par this season imo across the team.

Bit of last season hangover, plus continuity of players. The way they play needs a lot of time together in training I'd say.

[Oakboy]

It's a crunch match for Exeter. The performance and result will say a lot about Baxter. I just wish I could watch it but 'her indoors' has ordered a scallops/lobster on-line thing from Rick Stein (cost £100 for f"cks sake) and we need to do it justice apparently. Having done the cookery course in Padstow, she is mega-enthusiastic, bless her. Sometimes, regrettably, rugby is reduced to second place.

[francoisfou]

It's a crunch match for Exeter. The performance and result will say a lot about Baxter. I just wish I could watch it but 'her indoors' has ordered a scallops/lobster on-line thing from Rick Stein (cost £100 for f"cks sake) and we need to do it justice apparently. Having done the cookery course in Padstow, she is mega-enthusiastic, bless her. Sometimes, regrettably, rugby is reduced to second place.

Bon appétit! Lyon are apparently missing a few first choice forwards so Exeter may just sneak a win.

[FKAS]

It's a crunch match for Exeter. The performance and result will say a lot about Baxter.

Why? Missing his internationals for most of the season and having a number of injuries to the pack they still sit second in the league and odds on for a home semi final. Be nice for them to advance and try to keep hold of their trophy but I don't think Baxter is under any pressure. He's managed to steer his team through a difficult period well. Has their play been pretty? No but he's got the points.

[Oakboy]

It's a crunch match for Exeter. The performance and result will say a lot about Baxter.

Why? Missing his internationals for most of the season and having a number of injuries to the pack they still sit second in the league and odds on for a home semi final. Be nice for them to advance and try to keep hold of their trophy but I don't think Baxter is under any pressure. He's managed to steer his team through a difficult period well. Has their play been pretty? No but he's got the points.

Ah, you're thinking about the negative but I was implying positive (or trying to - badly worded?). I think Baxter will put the team out in the right collective frame of mind and the result will go their way. He fielded the reserves in the last domestic match and now will show why. I doubt they will let their European Champions' status go lightly.

Your general point about missing internationals is a good one. We really shoot ourselves in the foot as a potential top rugby nation with allowing the Premiership matches to continue during international sessions, IMO.

[fivepointer]

Exe's season starts here. It might finish if they lose but they've got pretty much everyone back and will have targeted this match.

[Digby]

Your general point about missing internationals is a good one. We really shoot ourselves in the foot as a potential top rugby nation with allowing the Premiership matches to continue during international sessions, IMO.

It's the best of what there is. The shot in the foot is something of a scatter shot, whereas if you moved the games away from test windows you'd be doing worse damage still.

And it's a chance to use some squad depth as things stand

[Mikey Brown]

Well it will certainly be interesting to see if Exeter can turn it on now, as if it wasn't a big test already.

[morepork]

Now I see where Hill got that quaint habit of sealing off rucks from.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh dear. Simmonds shoved back by Lyon 9. I guess that's any hope of an international career done with.

[Banquo]

Lorra lorra points!

[Mikey Brown]

Great grubber from Townsend then but not particularly impressed with either Exeter 9 in general. Am I missing something?

[Mikey Brown]

Would be good to see Kirsten banned. A few minutes prior to that trip he had a guy in a neckroll position while driving him on to his back, would have snapped his neck if hadn't let go.

[fivepointer]

Poor effort from Kirsten. He might well get a ban.
Exe are just relentless. They had a poor start, their l/o malfunctioned and they were off key at times yet won with a bit to spare in the end.

[twitchy]

Great win for exe I was not expecting that.

[Scrumhead]

Great grubber from Townsend then but not particularly impressed with either Exeter 9 in general. Am I missing something?

Agreed. Definitely the weakest position in their team. I think Hidalgo-Clyne is the best of their 9s - not sure why he seems to have slipped behind Townsend?

[Timbo]

Maunder is definitely their best kicker. Box kicks higher and further than the other two. I feel like their exits become a lot less assured when he isn’t playing or has gone off. Like a lot of Exeter’s players he just fits the system and style really well. Good defender, manages the game well and obviously knows the club and team inside and out. 6 or 7 out of ten every week and Townsend/SHC provide tempo from the bench.

[fivepointer]

Maunder is just far more consistent than Townsend or H-C.