Director of rugby Baxter, who has been in charge for all of Exeter’s 14 years in the top flight, said he found it scary that Newcastle were able to turn over ball in the basement battle at Kingston Park in the last round.
“It was not so much a slap in the face as a punch on the nose,” said Baxter, who four years ago was celebrating the Premiership and Champions Cup double. “We looked uncompetitive at Newcastle and we have to change that.
“We lost ball in a variety of ways and it did not look difficult for them. It was scary and hard to watch. It needed to get to that point because there was no hiding place for anyone. You get to see what you yourself are about and your players.
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