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BSP-07
RUGBYU-ENG-PR-EXETER-WASPS-BAXTER
Baxter backs away from England talk
LONDON, Oct 23, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Exeter boss Rob Baxter has played down
suggestions he could succeed Eddie Jones as England coach.
The Chiefs rugby director is one win away from completing a domestic and
European double heading into Saturday’s Premiership final against Wasps at
Twickenham following last week’s European Champions Cup victory over Racing
92.
Jones is contracted to the Rugby Football Union until after the end of the
2023 World Cup, while Baxter’s current Exeter deal also expires in three
years’ time.
But the 49-year-old is in no hurry to leave Exeter, the club he has
steered from the Championship to the European summit via a Premiership title
in just 10 years,
Baxter, asked Thursday, if he wanted to coach England eventually, replied:
“Right here and now, no. I am happy here.”
Asked what would make him change his mind, he added: “Well, it would
depend if I am happy here.”
Saturday sees Exeter contesting their fifth consecutive Premiership final,
with the Chiefs bidding to become only the fourth English club after
Leicester, Wasps and Saracens to win the domestic and European Cup in one
season.
But with English rugby currently having to absorb the economic impact of
playing matches behind closed doors because of the coronavirus pandemic,
Baxter said: “There are loads of challenges in rugby that I would love to be
a part of at Exeter.
“Obviously, a huge part as well will be making sure we see Exeter through
the tough financial climate we are in at the moment.
“All of this won’t mean very much to me and my career at Exeter if we are
a club that fail financially in the next six months because of the current
situation.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/1129 hrs