Exeter Chiefs director of Rugby Rob Baxter believes the Premiership is way more “aggressive” with out the specter of relegation.
Relegation to the Championship won’t return till 2024-25 on the earliest as the highest flight bids to rebalance after the demise of Worcester and Wasps.
And within the final spherical of video games, the highest three Saracens, Sale and Harlequins all misplaced to sides on the backside.
“Now you are by no means in a state of affairs the place a group aren’t coming after you,” he stated.
“Some groups within the relegation zone would [previously] relaxation gamers after they got here up towards a aspect they did not suppose they’d beat, as a result of the following sport was towards a relegation rival.
“That does not occur any extra as a result of there is not any have to.”
The Premiership was left with 11 golf equipment for the rest of this season following the financial collapse of Worcester and Wasps, which noticed each Midlands-based golf equipment suspended after which relegated from the highest division.
And Baxter believes with out the specter of additional relegation from the Premiership, struggling groups have been given a lift of confidence on the pitch.
“Aggressive outcomes are going to occur an increasing number of usually,” he stated.
“An ideal instance is once we’ve been to Newcastle after they’ve been within the backside two.
“It is very onerous to play with the ambition and want that they play with now as a result of there’s a lot hanging on the end result.”
Whereas leaders Saracens, second-placed Sale and Harlequins in third misplaced to London Irish, Newcastle and Bristol respectively, over Christmas, Baxter’s sixth-placed Chiefs narrowly prevented coming unstuck towards Tub on Christmas Eve, finally grinding out a 20-15 win.
That end result left Tub backside of the desk, however with each aspect within the league having gained at the very least three of their 10 video games this season.
“We have gained some fairly tight video games towards groups which have been within the backside two as a result of the sport means a lot that because it will get to that strain 10 minutes on the finish, they begin to make extra errors than you do,” added Baxter.
“That is truly modified a bit and what you are seeing is that groups on the backside of the league can get on with it.
“They don’t seem to be wanting over their shoulder [anymore], they’re wanting upwards on a regular basis.”
Exeter are again in motion towards top-of-the-table Saracens on New Yr’s Eve.