Henry Slade: Exeter boss Rob Baxter backs centre after missed kicks at Bath

Exeter boss Rob Baxter has urged Henry Slade not to dwell on his missed kicks in their loss at Bath.

Slade missed two first-half conversions before hitting the post with a penalty late in the second half as Chiefs went down 40-34 in a thrilling game at the Rec.

Team-mate Harvey Skinner stepped up to kick a 79th-minute penalty for Exeter that secured a losing bonus point as Baxter's side search for a first win of the season.

"I think we've been very fortunate with Henry over the years, but particularly last year," Baxter told BBC Radio Devon as Slade practised kicks after the final whistle.

"You think how many clutch kicks in big games he's knocked over for us and kept us in games, pushed us through things and just taking those real pressure kicks and he's always stood up and done it. You know there's going to be the odd game.

"But the most important thing for him is he shakes it off.

"I'd rather he wasn't out here practising now and he just goes and sits and has a beer and chills out because I don't think this is the way for him to get out of his system.

"But I'll have a chat with him as I walk past now and tell him to get in there and enjoy being with the lads, because he's too good a player for this to be an issue."

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Exeter reached last season's Prem final, where they lost to Northampton at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

But they have yet to record a win this season after a surprising loss at home to Gloucester last week.

Baxter says his side's loss at Bath, and their sticky start to the season, should not cause too much concern yet.

"In a way, I'll be worried that we think we have to get five points second game of the season to be competitive," he said.

"What I want us to do is go, 'We play really well every week, we build our points score', that's what gets us where we need to be.

"We saw that last year - that's what we've got to do again."