Baxter puts his faith in super 7

ROB Baxter expects the seven Exeter players who were involved in England’s recent Under-20 Six Nations campaign to be pressing for first-team places next season.

- By PAUL REES

Outside-half Ben Coen, who started the Premiership Cup knock-out matches against Sale and Ealing this month, Nic Allison, Campbell Ridl, Nick Lilley, Louie Gulley, Oscar Beckerleg and Kane James all featured for the U20s who missed out on the title, and a Grand Slam, after losing to Wales in the final game.

“We are expecting a lot of development from them in the next 12 months and they are an important part of the squad going forward,” said Baxter, Exeter’s director of rugby.

“The academy system is very important to us and it is not a case here of always going back to the tried and tested. We are looking every way we can to invest in coaching to bring through the better players and start their skill development early.

“We have a good clutch of U20s now and they will have a number of opportunities in the next 12 months. It is an interesting place for the frontline players coming through and I can 100 per cent see some of them becoming very good Chiefs players.