Exeter batteries drained in loss to Harlequins – Rob Baxter

Exeter now have a week off before their final two Prem games.

The Chiefs remain in fourth place but have a tough end to the season with a trip to third-placed Leicester before hosting fifth-placed Saracens.

Exeter are hoping to earn a first play-off place since 2021 as they bounce back after their worst Prem campaign last season.

Baxter says his side are learning “a few tough lessons” as this season goes on, but that their recent matches have been the best way to educate themselves.

“I said a couple of weeks ago it’s nice to be in big games – that’s how you learn the quickest,” he said.

“We haven’t tripped along and had weeks off here, weeks off there – we’ve gone through three rounds of European knockouts. That’s good experience for us and there’s some big games.

“In Treviso, that was a hell of a game. That takes a little bit out of you and then you go again and you go to Ulster and that takes a little bit out of you, then Bath turn up at Sandy Park and we had a big emotional game there.

“I think we haven’t maybe been able to draw a breath and move forward. That’s what we need to do, and that’s why this week will be good for us.”