Baxter's ready to take on the best

FIN Baxter was one of the players of last season, a prop dubbed the baby-faced assassin who at the tender age of 22 went to France, the land of scrummaging, and saw off two Bortightdeaux-Bègles heads despite a conceding a considerable weight disadvantage.

- By PAUL REES

Ben Tameifuna had first crack but after being outmanoeuvred, the 148kg front rower gave way to 138kg Carlu Sadie. The South Africa had no more joy against the 120kg Baxter than the Tongan had and the Quin was on the field in the searing heat for 70 minutes before leaving to a rousing ovation from the large contingent of travelling supporters.

Baxter had started the campaign as understudy to Joe Marler but within three months was making his Test debut as an early replacement for his clubmate against New Zealand in Dunedin and starting the following week. He won four more caps off the bench in the autumn.

A surprise package then, he is a known quantity now and both club and Test teams have come armed with plans to counter him this season.