Chiefs boss demands defensive focus

For the first time in the club’s history, the Chiefs find themselves vying for a spot in the last four of Europe’s top club competition.

It’s new and uncharted waters for the Devon club, who in just six seasons have risen out of the Championship to establish themselves as one of the growing forces within the English and European game.

Currently sitting second in the Premiership, Baxter’s side will switch off from domestic matters this week and instead focus their sights on stinging Wasps for a second time this season on their own turf.

It was back in early December that the Chiefs last visited the Ricoh, winning on that occasion 41-27 thanks to a six-try salvo that included a try hat-trick for free-scoring No.8 Thomas Waldrom. The victory, however, was somewhat soured late on when the visitors lost England international Henry Slade to a broken leg and damaged ankle ligaments.

Thankfully, Slade has since recovered and his return to form a month ago could not have come at a better time, as Baxter has seen his playing ranks swelled by the return of not only the key playmaker, but fellow long-term injury victims Mitch Lees, Dave Ewers, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Damian Welch.

Chiefs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Gareth Steenson (captain), 9 Will Chudley, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Julian Salvi, 6 Don Armand, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mitch Lees, 3 Moray Low, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ben Moon

Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Damian Welch, 20 Dave Ewers, 21 Dave Lewis, 22 Michele Campagnaro, 23 James Short

Date: Saturday, April 9

Venue: Ricoh Arena, Coventry

Kick-off: 15.15 (14.15 GMT)

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Assistant referee: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Tual Trainini (France)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)