We must improve our product to survive, insists Baxter
Exeter director of rugby wants top players in the Prem
Rob Baxter has warned that English club rugby risks being undermined if the proposed R360 rebel league goes ahead. Exeter have just welcomed the top-class Australian centre Len Ikitau to Sandy Park and the Chiefs director of rugby believes the Prem will suffer a significant hit if such outstanding talent is diverted elsewhere.
The R360 concept has suffered a series of recent setbacks with the world’s leading unions making clear that players who sign up will be forfeiting their international careers. Baxter, however, believes rugby should be primarily focused on improving its existing competitions.
“We don’t want the best players in the competition not playing for us or the teams playing against us,” said Baxter, who takes his unbeaten Chiefs side to Bristol on Saturday. “I want us to be attractive to players like Len Ikitau and [fellow Wallaby signing] Tom Hooper and for them to think they’re playing in a frontline competition.
