Standout individual performances at domestic level can be a double edged sword for clubs that value consistency. The benefits are obvious, and any coach will tell you how much they enjoy seeing their charges achieve higher honours. But there are costs whenever a national selector comes calling for star players. Rob Baxter now understands the sting of this particular blade as his Exeter Chiefs squandered a 14-point lead to lose at London Irish.
Five of his stalwarts now call Eddie Jones their boss as they gear up for England’s Six Nations campaign starting next week. Only Leicester and Saracens have had to relinquish more players for the Red Rose. And in Luke Cowan-Dickie, Sam Simmonds, Jonny Hill, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell, the Chiefs have effectively had their backbone ripped out.
