Rob Baxter: Exeter boss focusing on bonus points to end away woes

Exeter went into round five of the Premiership top of the table, but their loss at Northampton saw them drop to fifth place

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says his side must focus on bonus points to end their poor run of away form.

Their 34-19 defeat at Northampton Saints on Sunday was their 10th successive away loss in the league.

"We need to start knocking off bonus points before we knock off wins," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

"I was really hoping the step forward today would be that bonus point, that would have been a real indicator, now that indicator's still to come."

Exeter have not won on the road in the Premiership since a 50-14 win at Bristol on 7 October, 2022.

This season they have impressed at home with bonus-point wins over champions Saracens, Sale and Bristol, but fallen short at Harlequins and Saints.

"What we need to learn when we go away from home is you've got to make your minimum requirement that bonus point," added Baxter.

"That gives you chances to win games, but it also means your scoreboard presence in the Premiership is ticking over all the time.

"I didn't think it was that far off for us today, but there was a big chunk in the game where we just didn't threaten to score, and ultimately that's what's cost us the four tries, because scoring at any stage earlier in the game and the four tries would have come for us."