Rob Baxter backs Exeter Chiefs to bounce back after losing unbeaten start to Harlequins

Exeter suffered their first defeat of the season to a vastly improved Harlequins side as Paul Gustard believes his players showed ‘the true version of ourselves’

Nathan Earle celebrates scoring in Harlequins' victory over Exeter (Getty)

Exeter Chiefs director of rugby Rob Baxter was magnanimous in defeat as his side slumped to their first loss of the Gallagher Premiership season at the hands of Harlequins in a thriller at The Stoop.

Joe Marchant’s crucial late tie swung the game in Harlequins’ favour despite a late rally from the leaders as Chiefs fell to their first away reverse since February 18, 28-26.

Two tries from Nathan Earle either side of the break roared Quins back ahead but Exeter did not lose their heads as Jack Yeandle and Ollie Devoto reduced their lead to a single point before Marcus Smith’s penalty and Marchant’s try ended the visitors’ challenge.

Despite surrendering an eight-game winning streak, Baxter believes the defeat will only serve as further inspiration for their Heineken Champions Cup clash against Gloucester next week.

He said: “I am obviously pleased with the two points. I was interviewed before the game and I was asked about our away record and I said that we have got quite an extended group who know how to win and to make it hard for the opposition.

“I think that’s the bit we got the most wrong today because it felt like multiple times when we started to get back into the game, that that’s where we errored.

“It was frustrating from our perspective because some of our elements that make us hard to beat went missing today.

Rob Baxter refused to panic after Exeter's first Premiership defeat of the season (Getty)

“When we scored a try, the first thing we did was concede a penalty off the restart – that brings pressure straight back against us.

“You also have to give credit to Harlequins because there’s no doubt that some of those errors came from pressure from the opposition.

“In a way the boys have got to take the loss and refocus...this is what helps Exeter Chiefs win.”

The visitors scored the first try of the match through Matt Kvesic, but they found themselves behind at the break as tries in quick succession from James Chisholm and Earle turned the tables.

Nathan Earle scored two tries for Quins (Getty)

Yeandle broke back but again Earle extended Quins’ advantage, before Devoto reduced the deficit to a point again.

Then Quins sealed the win through Smith’s penalty and Marchant’s try, despite Ian Whitten’s last-gasp consolation.

Quins head coach Paul Gustard was delighted with his troops as he said: “I thought today we showed a true version of ourselves.

“We are tough and we are competitive – even when we lose we get something out the game, so we are a hard team to put away.

Matt Kvesic burrows over to score for Exeter (Getty)

“For me that shows resilience, character and togetherness and that’s what I am proud of.

“It was the most joined up performance [of the season]. We have defended well in some games, attacked well in some games and defended set-pieces well in some games.”

PA