Exeter ready for Challenge Cup selection ‘juggling act’ – Rob Baxter

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says he will face a selection “juggling act'” in their forthcoming European Challenge Cup matches.

The Chiefs opted to select seven internationals in their impressive 27-26 win at Sale last week, immediately after the Autumn internationals.

It means the likes of Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and Andrea Zambonin will have to be rested at some point over the next few weeks.

Exeter begin their first campaign in the Challenge Cup since 2015 with the visit of South African side Cheetahs on Sunday before heading to Paris to face Racing 92 a week later.

They then return to Prem action with a trip to long-time rivals Saracens on Saturday, 20 December.

“We’ve got a number of internationals in the team who have to have a rest period at some stage,” Baxter told BBC Sport.

“We chose not to take that up against Sale for obvious reasons. We wanted to try to continue some good form in the Prem, that paid off for us, so that’s ended up by hook or by crook being a good decision.

“Now we’ve got to use our resources well over these next two weeks to get the best outcome we can get over the two games, but still have us in a place of preparation for a short turnaround into Saracens as we go back into the Prem.

“So it’s a little bit of a juggling act, but it’s one that’s kind of quite enjoyable to work through.

“It gives the squad something to really aim at over the course of the next two or three games so I think we’re pretty well set to where we want to achieve and what we want to do.”