Rob Baxter prepared for "biggest game" in Exeter Chiefs' history

Exeter Chiefs head coach Rob Baxter has labelled next weekend's Aviva Premiership clash against Sale Sharks as the "biggest game" in the club's history.

The Devon-based outfit kept their hopes of landing a top-four spot alive by beating Saracens 24-20 at Allianz Park this afternoon, courtesy of an impressive showing by Thomas Waldrom.

Three teams are still in contention for the two remaining end-of-season playoff places heading into the final week of the campaign - Leicester Tigers, Saracens and Exeter.

"Next week will be biggest game of rugby Exeter will have been involved in," he is quoted as saying by ESPN. "We have to be mentally tough, not crumble and stand strong on our own patch.

"Leicester were mightily impressive yesterday [against Wasps] and it shows what intensity you have to play at in the final stages of the season.

"I'm very pleased for the players to come through this in the way we did as we've not been at our best in recent matches. We've been in tight games against Saracens before but they normally nick it so it was nice to come out on the right side."

Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby have already secured home semi-final ties, having finished inside the top two.