Hodge leads the demolition squad
The Rugby Paper|October 15, 2023
ROB Baxter said it would take time for his next generation at Sandy Park to show their true colours. 
MARK STEVENS
Hodge leads the demolition squad

But, having used the Premiership Rugby Cup as the bedrock from which to flourish, not even Exeter’s director of rugby could have envisaged the way in which his side dismantled reigning champions Saracens at Sandy Park.

Full-back Josh Hodge led the way as the Londoners were handed a record top-flight defeat from the Devonians, who also bagged tries from Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Greg Fisilau, Ethan Roots, Tom Hendrickson, Henry Slade, Rus Tuima, Ross Vintcent and Niall Armstrong.

“I have to give great credit to the players,” said Baxter. “We gave them a lot of guidance and we poured a lot into them this week. They have had to take that on, but emotionally I thought they got things bang on, which we didn’t last week, and that allowed us to play and to do things.

This story is from the October 15, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.

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This story is from the October 15, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.

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