Heineken Cup 2012: Rob Baxter warns Exeter against overconfidence

Rob Baxter has warned Exeter Chiefs against overconfidence after the Aviva Premiership outfit produced an encouraging display in a 9-6 defeat by Leinster in the Heineken Cup.

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton scored three penalties to help the defending European champions to a narrow victory and move them into second place behind Clermont Auvergne in Pool 5.

Exeter, who are sixth in the Aviva Premiership, face the French side at Sandy Park on Saturday, and director of rugby Baxter is keen to see his squad remain grounded despite a valiant effort against the three-time champions.

“We’ve got to make sure we don’t get a bit pleased with ourselves, think we’ve performed really well and then get stung next week,” Baxter said.

“We’ve got to keep driving home the way we want to perform.”

Gareth Steenson scored twice with the boot at the RDS, but the fly-half missed two further kicks to give the visitors the advantage, while Ignacio Mieres also sent a long-range effort wide on the stroke of full-time.

Baxter admitted Exeter cannot afford to be wasteful in Europe’s premier competition, although the 41-year-old was pleased with his side’s commitment against Leinster.

“If your moments come you’ve got to try and take them, we created a few moments which we didn’t quite see off,” Baxter added.

“For fighting spirit and working hard and playing some good rugby it had everything for us, apart from us perhaps not scoring a few more points.”