Baxter can feel shift in mind-set at the Chiefs

ROB Baxter says that he can feel a shift in expectation at the Exeter Chiefs, which was evident in a vastly improved Premiership performance against Harlequins on Sunday.

- by STUART JAMES

It may have ultimately ended in a narrow 24-22 defeat at the Stoop, but Exeter led at different spells of the game before a moment of individual brilliance from Marcus Smith consigned them to a 13th defeat in 17 league games this season.

However, this was nothing like their last away game, which ended in an unwanted record 79-17 loss at Gloucester, and led to seismic changes at Sandy Park.

Gone are coaches Rob Hunter and Ali Hepher, Baxter has resumed coaching responsibilities and he was helped last week by Dave Walder, whose appointment as an assistant coach was confirmed over the week-end. Baxter may have been overseeing things for less than a month, but that performance in defeat showed plenty of characteristics that we have become accustomed to with the Chiefs - and Baxter is pleased with how things are progressing after such a difficult few weeks for the club.