Exeter batteries drained in Harlequins loss - Baxter

Exeter boss Rob Baxter says his side looked like a team in need of a rest during their 41-24 defeat by Harlequins.

The Chiefs had led 24-14 at half-time but conceded four second-half tries at Twickenham to lose for a sixth time in the Prem this season.

Having reached the final of the Prem Rugby Cup and the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup, Exeter have not had a weekend off since early March.

Their trip to Twickenham for Harlequins' 'Big Game' came a week after beating Prem champions bath at home and a fortnight after their Challenge Cup semi-final loss at Ulster.

"We probably look like the team that has gone back-to-back big games over a number of weeks - quite a few short turnarounds," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon.

"I'm not just trying to take all the pressure off the performance because Quins turned up and they grew through the game.

"But at the same time I do know we've been going after some hard games and I think we looked a bit like that team that was a bit battered and bruised and were working quite well for that first half.

"But our emotional and physical batteries just drained a little bit by the end. Even when the game was tight we started doing some odd things trying to chase it back when we didn't need to."

Exeter now have a week off before their final two Prem games.

The Chiefs remain in fourth place but have a tough end to the season with a trip to third-placed Leicester before hosting fifth-placed Saracens.

Exeter are hoping to earn a first play-off place since 2021 as they bounce back after their worst Prem campaign last season.

Baxter says his side are learning "a few tough lessons" as this season goes on, but that their recent matches have been the best way to educate themselves.

"I said a couple of weeks ago it's nice to be in big games - that's how you learn the quickest," he said.

"We haven't tripped along and had weeks off here, weeks off there - we've gone through three rounds of European knockouts. That's good experience for us and there's some big games.

"In Treviso, that was a hell of a game. That takes a little bit out of you and then you go again and you go to Ulster and that takes a little bit out of you, then Bath turn up at Sandy Park and we had a big emotional game there.

"I think we haven't maybe been able to draw a breath and move forward. That's what we need to do, and that's why this week will be good for us."