ROB Baxter hailed Exeter Chiefs’ character after they overcame a nightmare start to round off their pre-season with a 33-28 victory over Cardiff Rugby.

The Chiefs found themselves two converted tries down inside the opening 10 minutes at the Cardiff Arms Park, but responded with a three-try burst before half-time before eventually holding off a late Cardiff fightback.

For Baxter, it was exactly the kind of final test he wanted before his side turn their attention to Saturday’s PREM Rugby opener against Gloucester at Sandy Park.

“For me, it was massively pleasing,” said the Exeter director of rugby. “It had all the best things about that kind of test of character that you really wanted to see.

“Our travel up was a little disrupted. We arrived maybe five or 10 minutes late, which I know isn’t a great deal, but it knocks you off your stride a little bit. Then we came out onto the field and there was a pretty strong wind blowing the length of it, and it was raining pretty heavily when we kicked off.

“Within the space of minutes, we were two tries down and you could see the lads having to look at each other and go, ‘Well, what are we going to do? We’re going to have to step up.’”

Exeter Chiefs forward Greg Fisilau tries to find a way through during Saturday's friendly with Cardiff
Exeter Chiefs forward Greg Fisilau tries to find a way through during Saturday's friendly with Cardiff (Matt Impey)

Cardiff immediately put the visitors under pressure, with Taine Basham powering over following a sustained period of pressure before Ben Thomas raced through for a second try.

However, the Chiefs quickly found their feet. No.8 Greg Fisilau crashed over from a driving maul before Harvey Skinner backed himself to race through for their second.

The comeback was completed before the break when returning Wales international Stephen Varney intercepted and ran from halfway to score, with Henry Slade’s conversion putting the visitors 19-14 ahead.

“The game started really, really fast, with real pace and real physical intensity,” said Baxter. “They were banging us about in attack and defence. We just had a good look at each other, rolled our sleeves up and pretty much controlled the rest of the first half, despite the tough conditions.”

The Chiefs carried that momentum into the second half, Joe Bailey crashing over just two minutes after the restart to stretch the lead.

Cardiff responded with a maul try, but the Chiefs restored their advantage when Zack Wimbush made an immediate impact from the bench, setting up Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to score.

Daf Hughes crossed late on for Cardiff to reduce the deficit to five points, but Exeter’s defence stood firm to secure victory.

Exeter Chiefs hooker Louis Gulley tries to find a way through during Saturday's friendly with Cardiff
Exeter Chiefs hooker Louis Gulley tries to find a way through during Saturday's friendly with Cardiff (Matt Impey)

Baxter admitted the constant changes disrupted the flow of the contest but was pleased his side refused to panic.

Baxter believes the lessons from Cardiff could prove valuable once the competitive action begins.

“At both ends of the game, at the start we had to come back, and at the end we had to dig in and hold on,” he said. “To come away and do that on the day feels really satisfying.

“For me, it was a proper, pure old-school game of rugby. Sometimes that’s just a really good test of character, and I’m really impressed with the lads.

“I’m looking for us to stand up for each other and be tough this season. If I know that from today’s game, I’m happy with that alone.”