Exeter Chiefs: Rob Baxter criticizes “scary” decision-making in Bristol defeat

Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says his side’s decision-making has been “frightening” for some 40:35 home defeat against Bristol Bears at Sandy Park.

The Chiefs led 32-12 before Dan Frost was suspended in the 65th minute and Bristol scored three tries in four minutes to turn the game on its head.

The defeat means Exeter suffered their worst ever start to a Premiership season, losing all four of their opening games.

It is 10 years since Baxter’s side last lost four league games in a row as they prepare for a game on Friday night against bottom-placed Newcastle Falcons.

“It was a bit scary watching us after we got the yellow card,” Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

“It’s not just that we made mistakes in yellow card management, putting people in breakdowns we didn’t need, but we also started missing tackles.”

“You build your wall with 13 players, maybe you keep one in the backfield.”

“As a first, it’s really important that you stay alive to complete your duel. Maybe there won’t be more than one other player competing there and you’ll be back on your feet and ready to go again.”

“We just couldn’t do it and it’s a bit scary.

“Some of the guys will look and I swear they’ll say to me, ‘I don’t really know what I did’.”

“We had people acting as our last defender, stepping in for breakdowns that Bristol had already won, and then they just went out to score tries.”

“Some of it is almost a bit silly, but we won’t move if we don’t take responsibility for it.”