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Francesi e irlandesi sono gli unici
Exeter Chiefs Head Coach Rob Baxter is hoping for another fruitful French trip as they kick-off their European Rugby Challenge Cup campaign in Bayonne.
The Devon side take on the Top 14 strugglers at 19:00 at the Stade Jean Dauger where Baxter is expecting a fiery atmosphere.
The Chiefs last appearance in the competition was a successful one in 2011/12. They won five of six pool games and advanced to the quarter-finals, where they were edged out by Stade Francais.
And they are flying-high in third place in the Aviva Premiership having won four of their six games so far. They claimed the scalp of thee-time Challenge Cup winners Harlequins before they beat Gloucester at Kingsholm.
The pack sees a new front-row trio of Carl Rimmer, Elvis Taione and Moray Low, while behind Ryan Caldwell comes into the second row and there are starts in the back-row for the experienced pairing of James Scaysbrook and Kai Horstmann.
At half-back, Haydn Thomas gets the nod alongside skipper for the game Ceri Sweeney. Adam Hughes makes his debut in the centre whilst a talented back three comprises of Tom James, Jack Nowell and Jack Arnott.
Head Coach Baxter said: “Any trip to a Top 14 side is tough. You know they have big squads, both physically and in terms of numbers. The atmosphere can be interesting over there as well.
“We’ve tended to enjoy the time we’ve spent in France and it’s brought out some of our top qualities, that’s what I’ll expect again. I’ll expect to see a top-quality physical and mental approach to the game and it’ll be an opportunity for the guys to show they get that part of it, that you go to France and first and foremost you have to front up physically.
Bayonne boss Patricio Noriega said: “As always , the goal is victory! We want to win the first two games against Exeter and La Rochelle. We will work as usual, the week of preparation will be the same as before a meeting of Top 14. However, this competition will allow us to provide opportunities for some players who have not had a lot of playing time.”
Match Facts
- Bayonne have lost three of their last five in this competition, but before that had lost just one of the last nine (W7, D1).
- Exeter Chiefs last appearance in this competition saw them reach the quarter final as well as winning five of their six group games in 2011/12.
- Bayonne made the most metres and clean breaks on average in last season’s tournament (626.7 and 12.2 per game, respectively).
- Bayonne converted 90% of their shots at goal last season, the best rate in the tournament.
Exeter Chiefs suffered heartbreak at Stade Jean Dauger when Bayonne snatched victory from defeat with a 77th minute try. - 18/10/2014 21:04
Exeter Chiefs suffered heartbreak at Stade Jean Dauger when Bayonne snatched victory from defeat with a 77th minute try.
Flanker Lisiate Fa’Aoso was the Bayonne saviour with his late, late score that clinched a 30-24 win that left the Chiefs with just a losing bonus point.
It all left head coach Rob Baxter shaking his head as the Chiefs had put the boot into Bayonne early, punishing them for a string of offences.
Outside half Ceri Sweeney was twice on target and full back Jack Arnott also successful to give the Premiership club a nine-point advantage in as many minutes.
Scrum half Christophe Loustalot opened the home team account after 12 minutes with a penalty before the hand took over from the boot for both teams.
Centre Adam Hughes crossed for the Chiefs and lock Opeti Fonua went over to delight the home fans – and they had even more to celebrate 10 minutes later.
Wing Pierre Sayerse got their second and with Loustalot again on target with the conversion to put Bayonne ahead for the first time.
However, they were reduced to 14 men when hooker Gregory Arganese was yellow carded by Irish referee Peter Fitzgibbon.
Sweeney missed the chance to kick the Chiefs back in front when he was wide with a 49th minute penalty but Bayonne were again a man short when back rower Baptiste Chouzenoux became a second player yellow carded.
Carl Rimmer punished them on the scoreboard with the Chiefs’ second try and a third yellow resulted in Sweeney adding another penalty.
However, yet another Loustalot penalty set up a grandstand finish but it was Fa’Aoso and Loustalot who had the final words to take the points.
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