Exeter ready for European selection 'juggling act'

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says he will face a selection "juggling act'" in their forthcoming European Challenge Cup matches.

The Chiefs opted to select seven internationals in their impressive 27-26 win at Sale last week, immediately after the Autumn internationals.

It means the likes of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Andrea Zambonin will have to be rested at some point over the next few weeks.

Exeter begin their first campaign in the Challenge Cup since 2015 with the visit of South African side Cheetahs on Sunday before heading to Paris to face Racing 92 a week later.

They then return to Prem action with a trip to long-time rivals Saracens on Saturday, 20 December.

"We've got a number of internationals in the team who have to have a rest period at some stage," Baxter told BBC Sport.

"We chose not to take that up against Sale for obvious reasons. We wanted to try to continue some good form in the Prem, that paid off for us, so that's ended up by hook or by crook being a good decision.

"Now we've got to use our resources well over these next two weeks to get the best outcome we can get over the two games, but still have us in a place of preparation for a short turnaround into Saracens as we go back into the Prem.

"So it's a little bit of a juggling act, but it's one that's kind of quite enjoyable to work through.

"It gives the squad something to really aim at over the course of the next two or three games so I think we're pretty well set to where we want to achieve and what we want to do."

Baxter admits his side faces a bit of an "unknown" in their opponents.

The Bloemfontein-based Cheetahs are the only South African side in the competition not playing in the United Rugby Championship.

They have not played a competitive game since September in the Currie Cup when they reached the semi-finals.

But Baxter, whose side are second in the Prem after winning four of their first six games, says Chiefs must not take their opponents lightly and undo all the good work they have done so far this season.

"The one thing we've got to remember is we worked extremely hard to get to second in the Prem at this stage, and I'm certainly not going to let the guys get a bit carried away and take their foot off the gas now," he said.

"What we've got to do now is recharge our emotional batteries from what was a very emotional game against Sale and make sure we're ready to hit the pitch absolutely flat out because we actually don't know what's coming to a degree.

"We've got to make sure that we're not the team that's ended up getting shocked by something we're not well prepared for or expecting a tough game, and that's our challenge this week."