Baxter wants reaction after heavy Gloucester loss

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter is demanding a response from his team following a 45-24 home defeat against Gloucester in their opening Premiership match. Exeter conceded seven tries at Sandy Park in what marked their heaviest home loss across all competitions since January 2025. Baxter stated that the squad may have assumed preparations were going well and must immediately improve work rate and movement.

The Chiefs' preparation was disrupted by an illness outbreak in the squad, which ruled out several players before kickoff. Exeter was also missing Tom Hooper due to international duty, alongside sidelined internationals Andrea Zambonin and Nika Abuladze, though Baxter noted several injured players are nearing returns.