Opposition view: Saints clash was 'a real test of character' for Chiefs
Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter says his side overcame 'a real test of character' against Saints on Sunday.
The Chiefs secured a 38-15 Champions Cup quarter-final win at Sandy Park, but they were made to fight all the way by Chris Boyd's team.
Saints only scored two tries - through Teimana Harrison and Fraser Dingwall - but they dominated possession and territory for long periods of the match.
And Baxter was delighted to see his side prevail to set up a home semi-final against Toulouse this weekend.
“It’s fantastic,” said Baxter.
“Ultimately, we need a big challenge now to get the best out of ourselves. I am really looking forward to it.
“I am looking forward to seeing us perform, because I think our focus will be a lot more zeroed-in that it was on Sunday.
“There was an everything-to-lose feeling about yesterday, and it was a real test of character for us.
“The Saints game was as much a mental challenge as anything else, but we dealt with it and came through it.
“We’ve got a short training week now, which I think will be good for us. We can re-energise and focus on three or four key elements.”
Saints were only 14-10 down at half-time on Sunday.
And Baxter added: “We can play a lot better than that, I know we can, but Northampton came here and challenged us really well in some areas.
“The final scoreline feels a little odd in a way, but in any Premiership game you would take that every day of the week as a pretty convincing scoreline.
“We will be confident that we can move on our lineout and scrum from Sunday, and some of the discipline.”